By Dominic Abassi

Crown applies for peace bond against Nanaimo CAO Samra

Mar 21, 2018 | 3:33 PM

NANAIMO — An application for a peace bond against City of Nanaimo chief administrative officer Tracy Samra has been approved.

Court records showed Samra is scheduled for a first appearance at provincial court in Nanaimo on March 27 to answer to a charge of fear of injury or damage by another person.

Court clerks told NanaimoNewsNOW while the charge falls under the Criminal Code, it would not lead to a criminal record. They said the charge is the equivalent of a peace bond or restraining order. If Samra does not agree to the order, a hearing would follow.

According to the section of the Criminal Code referenced in Samra’s court records, the information may be presented “on behalf of any person who fears on reasonable grounds that another person will cause personal injury to him or her or to his or her spouse or common-law partner or child or will damage his or her property.”

Samra’s lawyer, Robert Mulligan, told NanaimoNewsNOW what was put forward is not exactly the same as a charge.

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“Because it’s not a charge in the usual sense under the Criminal Code where somone is accused of a crime and the question is, is there proof of that crime and if so a sanction will follow,” Mulligan said.

He said it’s an application for a peace bond to “prevent a problem from occurring.”

Mulligan said he intends to file an application for adjournment for a short period of time to obtain the information and claims presented to the Court and review it with Samra. He said it’s too early to determine if Samra will accept the peace bond or take the issue to a hearing.

Samra is on paid leave from the City following her arrest on Jan. 31 for allegedly uttering threats at City Hall against mayor Bill McKay, several current and former City staff members and others.

The City launched an independent investigation into what it called an “incident” at City Hall. So far, no findings have been presented to Council and they have not made any formal decisions about their employee.

The Criminal Justice Branch appointed a special prosecutor to guide RCMP with their investigation into the matter. The prosecutor approved the application for the peace bond.

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi

— Note to readers: This is an updated story. Adds comment from Samra’s counsel Robert Mulligan.