CBRM council unanimously approves calling in police over former mayor's credit card use

Cape Breton Regional Police have been asked to investigate former mayor Amanda McDougall's expenses after she rang up $17,000 in personal charges on a Cape Breton Regional Municipality credit card over the last 18 months of her term.

On Tuesday, councillors voted unanimously to refer the matter to the police after a three-hour closed-door session that included getting legal advice on the credit card charges.

Several councillors said a criminal investigation is necessary to clear the air because members of the public have become convinced that all council members are crooks.

"I feel on a personal level that I personally have lost public confidence because of the actions of one individual," said Coun. Gordon MacDonald.

Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald said police need to be called in because some members of the public are alleging the council is corrupt and it's even affecting councillors who were just elected in the fall.

"It is most unfortunate in a new council, and we have new councillors that are brand new around the table, that have come into such a black cloud being hung over the heads of this current administration, but it's necessary that we take the proper steps, I think, to follow proper process … and I think this is just the next logical step."

Council first launched an independent investigation in December after "irregularities" were found in McDougall's expenses.

The municipality hired Sydney lawyer Robert Sampson, who brought in a local accountant, to get receipts from McDougall going back to March 2023 and determine which credit card charges were legitimate business expenses and which ones were personal.

Among $76,000 in unreported expenses, they found $17,000 in personal travel, meals, Uber rides, Costco and Home Depot purchases and a $2,000 bill for dental work.

On Tuesday, Sampson said his investigation included speaking with municipal staff, including the former chief administrative officer, to determine whether proper oversight was done.

"There was a number of efforts advanced to the former mayor to have her simply file her monthly expense report and there was reassurance that it would be done, but unfortunately it never got done," he said.

Sampson said McDougall co-operated with his investigation and did pay the money back.

But he said he did not look at the expenses to determine whether criminal charges were warranted.

McDougall was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

In an emailed statement to CBC News in January, McDougall admitted she made mistakes. She said she took on administrative tasks on top of her mayoral duties after her office manager took time off to care for a terminally ill relative.

"What I did wrong was not reaching out when the duties of my mayoral office and the administration of my office became too much," McDougall said.

Province satisfied with investigation

Mayor Cecil Clarke said Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh will likely refer the matter to the RCMP in order to maintain the independence of investigations of the former mayor.

"Chief Walsh, in receiving the report, can then determine if there's a necessity for an outside agency to be involved, and he's previously suggested that that may be the best for the process and due diligence," Clarke said.

The Department of Municipal Affairs has said it is satisfied with CBRM's investigation so far.

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