Two former probation officers were involved in an alleged pedophile ring in Cornwall, Ont. – and the provincial government knew it nearly 20 years ago.

CBC Radio News has uncovered information that complaints about the probation officers were made as far back as 1982.

But it was 1995 before Nelson Barque was charged with sexually abusing a boy under his supervision.

Barque pleaded guilty. The judge, calling it an isolated event, sentenced him to four months in jail and 18 months probation.

But it wasn't isolated.

There were other victims – and other perpetrators, including Barque's fellow probation officer, Ken Seguin.

In the 1970s, one victim was a teenager with a drinking problem and a habit of getting into fights. Eventually, those traits landed him in the probation offices of Barque and Seguin.

He says they sexually abused him and many others.

"I truly believed that this was the way it was – all teenagers acted and did things like this with grown-ups," the now 38-year-old man said. "I just thought it was all normal."

A friend of his filed a complaint against Barque in 1982. The province investigated and Barque quit – no charges were laid.

The victim says he was questioned but wouldn't say anything because he was afraid.

The area manager for the Cornwall probation services, Peter Sirrs, says he began an investigation when he received the first complaint.

He says a report from that time is on file at Queen's Park. Attempts by CBC Radio to obtain a copy of it and other related documents using the Access to Information and Privacy Act have been blocked by the provincial government.

Barque and Seguin are both dead – both killed themselves in the face of police investigations.

Those investigations indicate that more than 50 victims and at least two dozen perpetrators are involved. The alleged ring included powerful people such as Roman Catholic priests, church officials, a former coroner, lawyers and business leaders in the Cornwall area.

Charges have been laid against several suspects who are awaiting trial.