A former University of Manitoba law dean wanted in Canada on fraud charges has told a French court he does not consent to his extradition, the court said Friday. Jonathan Black-Branch, 64, appeared Friday before the Investigating Chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal, which is handling the extradition request. He reiterated during questioning that he does not consent, according to a news release from the court, though the release did not say why. The court has reserved its decision to Nov. 6. The court said an arrest warrant was issued in March by the Provincial Court of Manitoba for prosecution on three counts of fraud involving more than $5,000. Black-Branch was arrested on April 21 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, and placed in extradition detention the next day. A provisional arrest request was signed on April 1 and Canadian authorities issued the extradition request on May 11. A court official has said that, to the court’s knowledge, he does not hold French citizenship. Black-Branch served as the university’s law dean from 2016 to 2020. The University of Manitoba alleges he misappropriated more than $660,000 in university funds during that time. He later left the country. The university sued him in 2024 in the Court of King’s Bench of Manitoba to recoup the funds. In May 2025, the court granted a default judgment of $679,269.98, with interest at three per cent a year. A university spokesperson said last month that the process to collect the judgment is ongoing. The lawsuit alleges the money went to professional development programs, including at Harvard University and Cambridge Judge Business School, as well as club memberships, accommodations and meals. It alleges Black-Branch avoided oversight by routing payments through a different approval system than the one his direct supervisor would review, then signing off on the payments himself using his own authority within the Faculty of Law. Black-Branch was disbarred by the Law Society of Manitoba in February 2024 and later disbarred by the Bar Standards Board for England and Wales. The charges have not been proven in court.
