The integrity commissioner of Brampton, Ontario, has vindicated Mayor Patrick Brown of the allegation that he was using the staff of the city to work on his Conservative Party leadership race while the staff were being paid by the city.
The office started investigating the issue after a report from Rebel Media in June.
In a recent statement, Brown called the entire investigation a “waste of taxpayer money.”
He said: “I am vindicated now that the Integrity Commissioner has ruled I did nothing wrong.”
In July, Brown was disqualified from the Conservative leadership bid over allegations relating to an apparent contravening of the financing rules in the Canada Elections Act.
After he was disqualified, it was reported that five Brampton city councillors issued a statement about Brown’s “clear and alarming pattern of behaviour.” Reference was made by the councillors to Rebel Media’s allegation in the statement.
The integrity commissioner’s investigation was formally prompted by a complaint that was submitted by former Brampton city councillor Elaine Moore.
In a copy of the disposition letter that was addressed to Moore, the integrity commissioner stated, “we are unable to find that the mayor breached the Code of Conduct as alleged.”
About the mayor’s statement, the integrity commissioner made it known that they did not “obtain evidence to substantiate the allegation that the Mayor contravened the Brampton Code of Conduct by having his staff work on his CP Leadership campaign on City-paid time.”
It was further clarified that according to records, staff time used for working on the campaign was entered as vacation or lieu time, and in a case, a leave of absence.
Brown demanded an apology from the media organization that came up with the allegation.
