Ex-Manitoba law dean arrested in France, faces extradition on fraud charge
Police say a former law dean at the University of Manitoba is facing extradition on a fraud charge after he was arrested in France.
A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued earlier this year for Jonathan Black-Branch, who was the law dean at the post-secondary institution from 2016 before leaving suddenly in 2020, on the charge of fraud over $5,000.
Winnipeg police would not provide additional details relating to Black-Branch's arrest, saying the matter is currently before the French court system.
"Further information will be provided should the extradition application be successful and Black-Branch be returned to Winnipeg," Const. Stephen Spencer said in an email on Wednesday.
An internal investigation done by the University of Manitoba, based off a complaint, found Black-Branch misused and mismanaged more than $660,000 of the school's funds for personal bills, pricey meals at a members-only club and personal education at Ivy League schools.
Black-Branch was disbarred by the Law Society of Manitoba in 2024 after the investigation.
The university asked police in Winnipeg to investigate its former law dean after the law society's decision. It also sued Black-Branch for breaching the terms of his employment agreement.
In May 2025, the Manitoba Court of King's Bench ordered Black-Branch to repay the school more than $682,000, as well as the cost of interest.
The university has said it is pursing all available collection options to recoup the misused funds.
In a statement on Wednesday, it said that process is ongoing.
"(The University of Manitoba) is grateful for the work of international and local police agencies on this case," the statement said.
It referred further questions to police.
Black-Branch moved to Europe in 2020. Court documents relating to the lawsuit said it was believed he was living in Switzerland.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2026.
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