Magliocca charged with fraud, breach of trust by RCMP following expenses investigation – Calgary

Calgary Coun. Joe Magliocca has been charged by Alberta RCMP for fraud and breach of belief.

RCMP introduced the fees Friday afternoon: one cost every of fraud beneath $5,000 and breach of belief. An RCMP spokesperson informed World Information that the breach of belief prices are in a monetary claims context.

In an RCMP launch, they mentioned the Calgary Police Service despatched the RCMP a report alleging the incidents that have been believed to have occurred in Calgary.

The RCMP’s federal and severe organized crime / monetary crimes unit in Edmonton performed a fancy investigation via a lot of the pandemic, together with interviews with greater than 70 witnesses and reviewing giant volumes of data.

The investigators additionally coordinated with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service’s specialised prosecutions department.

Magliocca has been summoned to be in a Calgary courtroom on Oct. 15.

In an announcement to World Information, Magliocca’s lawyer mentioned:

“The timing of this matter — actually days earlier than the election — reeks of political motivation,” Greg Dunn mentioned.

“This can be a civil matter involving an unintentional mistake of lower than $4,000 for which my consumer has already voluntarily repaid. Our consumer is harmless and can vigorously contest the allegations.”

Magliocca’s bills have been beneath police investigation since July 2020, following an forensic audit that confirmed he made hundreds of {dollars} in ineligible journey and internet hosting claims.

Outgoing Mayor Naheed Nenshi mentioned the necessity for elected officers to have the religion and belief of residents — and Magliocca’s actions — led metropolis council to audit their very own bills and create a brand new expense coverage.

“Nevertheless, this factors to the necessity for stronger sanctioning authority for metropolis councils,” Nenshi mentioned in an announcement to World Information. “The Province of Alberta refused to take motion on this matter and now it’s earlier than the courts, within the midst of an election.

“We must always have been in a position to take stronger motion sooner.”

Magliocca has since repaid the almost $10,000 and attended coaching on council’s expense coverage. Different council sanctions included stripping him of deputy mayor duties and barring him from submitting journey bills till the top of his time period.

Magliocca is looking for re-election in Ward 2. Calgary’s normal election is on Oct. 18.

Ward 2 voting underway

Advance voting in all Calgary wards has been underway since Monday, and that may very well be an issue, based on MRU political scientist Duane Bratt.

“How many individuals could have forgotten about this through the marketing campaign?” Bratt mentioned.

Referencing feedback from Magliocca about talking extra to the matter following the RCMP investigation, Bratt mentioned it was Magliocca’s choice to attend till the final minute — Sept. 10 — to throw his hat into the ring.

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Calgary metropolis councillor Joe Magliocca silent on vacation journey

“I feel he additionally calculated that there’s quite a few completely different candidates, he doesn’t have to get 50 per cent plus one,” Bratt mentioned. “He simply wants a plurality, and that he may win this.”

Ward 2 candidates took to social media to precise their opinions on the scenario.

“Joe Magliocca, who is stuffed with controversies, has allow us to all down,” Francis Aranha mentioned in a web-based video, including he’s heard residents really feel let down by Magliocca.

“The RCMP have decided, now voters get to select, “Jennifer Wyness wrote on Twitter. “We want a councillor who listens to the group wants first, brings folks collectively, and is attentive to the wants of residents.”

Kim Tyers repeated her name for Magliocca’s speedy resignation and withdrawal from the election.

“Right this moment’s information of prices present that Joe Magliocca is unfit to carry public workplace and is undeserving of the belief that was positioned in him by Ward 2 voters,” Tyers mentioned in an announcement.