By Dominic Abassi

Special prosecutor involved in investigation into Nanaimo council

Mar 31, 2017 | 1:08 PM

NANAIMO — A special prosecutor is guiding Mounties with an on-going investigation involving Nanaimo City Council.

Senior Vancouver lawyer Mark Jette was appointed in Dec. 2016 following a request for assistance from Vancouver Island District RCMP, according to Criminal Justice Branch communications counsel Dan McLaughlin.

McLaughlin told NanaimoNewsNOW an announcement regarding the appointment of Jette wasn’t going to be made until after the investigation was finished.

However, McLaughlin said the Branch has learned one council member was arrested for an alleged incident and released with conditions. “Based on that and taking into account the civic circumstances of the case…the branch concluded issuing a media statement was appropriate at this time.”

McLaughlin wouldn’t give any specifics, only confirming the arrest happened sometime after the special prosecutor was appointed in December.

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Neither McLaughlin nor the RCMP would comment on the nature of the investigation or the allegations involved.

In November, Council announced it had directed staff to forward information to RCMP for consideration of violations by Mayor Bill McKay. The allegations followed a Council-ordered internal investigation related to the mayor’s business dealings, disclosure of gifts received and a former employees lawsuit against the City. McKay denied the allegations and has yet to be served with a subsequent lawsuit filed against him by the City.

McLaughlin said a special prosecutor can be appointed when there is the potential for real or perceived improper influence on an investigation.

“Applying the standard here, the assistant deputy attorney general determined it would be in the public interest to appoint a special prosecutor to deal with the advice the police were requiring with respect to an investigation into the city council, in light of the fact the allegations involved elected municipal officials,” he said.

The City of Nanaimo has since issued a release, stating city officials will cooperate during the investigation and “regular business at City Hall continues to take place.” No further comment from the City or Council is being made.

dominic.abassi@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @domabassi