Dan Major waiting to catch a train at Union Station in downtown Toronto, Wednesday, September 8th. Charged with assault and jailed, Major is now suing his ex-wife Terry Jordan and the police officer that arrested him, who coincidentally was having an affair with Jordan. (Stan Behal/QMI Agency)

NEWMARKET, Ont. - The York Region cop he blames for framing him and ruining his life stood before the police board and received a slap on the wrist.

For carrying on an affair with Sherry Major while investigating her claims of sexual assault against her estranged husband, Staff-Sgt. Terry Jordan was handed an 18-month demotion to sergeant Wednesday.

“This is a very unfortunate situation that has had an impact on all of us as police officers,” said York Regional Police chief Armand La Barge following the disciplinary ruling by Supt. Karen Noakes. “Obviously it’s very upsetting and disappointing.”

La Barge called it a fair decision. But for the man Jordan threw in jail, it was hardly punishment enough.

“He went out of his way to nail me and for nine years of crap, this is what he gets? I’m disgusted,” said Dan Major. “Meanwhile, I’ve lost my kids. I lost my ability to work...”

And then he began to cry.

The former athletic club executive was arrested by Jordan, then a detective constable, on Feb. 20, 2002 for allegedly sexually assaulting, harassing and threatening his estranged wife, Sherry.

Major spent six months in jail awaiting his trial — with Jordan even sending a letter urging he not be released on bail because he was so dangerous.

What the court didn’t know — and Major only suspected — was that the police officer was sleeping with his ex.

In June 2003, the judge tossed out all the charges because he found Major’s ex-wife had lied about many things — including having cancer — and it “would be unsafe to accept her testimony.” But his exoneration was little solace when her serious allegations had already been used to take away custody of his two children.

He always suspected Jordan was having an affair with his ex and was in on the conspiracy against him. But despite many complaints to York Regional Police, no one would listen. That is, until he got hold of her computer — her landlord had claimed it for non-payment of rent — and found seven racy love letters from Jordan, six of them sent while he was in pre-trial custody.

“I am missing your soft body against mine,” read one. “With my heart surrendered to you, dear, I love you, Sherry,” read another.

When Major turned those e-cards over to the police in April 2009, the professional standards bureau started an investigation. In the meantime, the veteran 23-year officer was promoted to staff sergeant.

When confronted by the investigators, Jordan immediately confessed to the affair, according to the agreed statement of facts. He told them he first met her in February, 2002 when Sherry came in to make her complaint. He began seeing her on his own time in May or June and their intimate relationship didn’t begin until August 2002 and ended in June 2003, when he helped her move out of her Aurora home while he was on duty.

The investigation found that even after they lost touch, the cop was still keeping tabs on her ex by running his name several times through the police computer.

But Major was never informed about any of this.

He didn’t know Jordan pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct and neglect of duty. He didn’t know the prosecution wanted Jordan demoted for two years without automatic reinstatement, while his lawyer asked for a one-year demotion and then his rank returned.

He only found out through a reporter that Jordan was being disciplined Wednesday.

“I think the whole thing is scandalous,” said his lawyer Barry Swadron, who is suing York Regional Police on his behalf for $7 million. “They made his life miserable.”

The police chief wouldn’t comment on the lawsuit. “What I can say without any hesitation is that I’m sorry all of this transpired.”

For Major, that hardly helps now.

“It’s too late for me,” he said. “I’ve lost everything.”