Richmond County may try to recoup money paid for questionable expenses
Warden Brian Marchand says council will make a decision when all reports come back
Richmond County may try to recoup some of the money it paid for questionable travel and expense claims racked up by the former CAO and some elected officials.
"What we're going to do is wait until all the reports come in, the final copy of the ombudsman's report and the RCMP investigation, and then we will make a decision based on that information," said Brian Marchand, the county's new warden.
Reports by the province's ombudsman and a forensic account hired by the county found a litany of problems, including expense claims paid without proper documentation or receipts.
The audit also found double dipping, with meal claims paid twice through expense claims and per diems.
Ineligible claims included two nights at strip clubs charged to the municipal credit card of former CAO Warren Olsen and tickets for a Liberal Party fundraiser expensed by some councillors.
Marchand said councillors who expensed tickets to the fundraiser have already repaid or are repaying money they claimed.
The RCMP say its investigation into Richmond County spending is ongoing.
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