TORONTO – The RCMP say criminal charges have been laid against five people following an investigation into allegations of fraud by top leaders of the union that represents Ontario Provincial Police.

The Mounties have alleged the former union officials and others set up a sophisticated network of schemes involving secretly owned companies and offshore investments to defraud union members.

In a release Thursday, RCMP say charges of fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime have been laid against Karl Walsh, 52, James Christie, 48, Martin Bain, 50,Andrew McKay, 54, all Ontario residents, and Francis Chantiam, 60, of New Jersey.

They are due in court on July 18.

Christie, Bain and Walsh are police officers who were suspended by the OPP with pay in March 2015 pending the outcome of the investigation.

The union dismissed Walsh, who was its chief administrative officer. Christie was president and Bain vice-president. The union said they took administrative leaves.

McKay is a former police officer who works as a lawyer.