OPP to review Andrew Olivier's tapes of conversations with Liberals

Provincial Police say they will review what they call new evidence to determine if they should reopen an investigation into what the Liberals said to former candidate Andrew Olivier when Glenn Thibeault was appointed.

The OPP had closed their investigation into the matter, but now say the tapes of conversations Olivier released on social media this week require another look.

Detective Superintendent Dave Truax is director of criminal investigation services for the OPP.

"At this point in time the OPP is reviewing the information released by Mr. Olivier that were posted on social media as well as the information collected during the initial investigation and we will determine our next steps, if any criminal investigation will continue or resume," he said.

There's no time line on how long it will take to make that decision, Truax said.

Meanwhile, Premier Kathleen Wynne, who visited Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury Friday, maintained the audio tapes released yesterday demonstrate that no back-room offer was made to Olivier in exchange for his support of Glenn Thibeault.

Wynne asked Andrew Olivier, the Liberal candidate in Sudbury, Ont., in last June's general election, not to seek the nomination for the upcoming byelection because she had another preferred candidate.

He has alleged that the Liberals offered him a job or appointment in exchange for stepping aside.

Olivier, who is a quadriplegic and records conversations in lieu of taking notes, posted audio to YouTube of conversations he had, including one with the Ontario Liberal campaign director, which he says back up his claims.

But the Liberals say the recordings confirm they were encouraging Olivier to stay involved with the party, but no specific offers or commitments were made.

Olivier is now running as an independent candidate in the provincial byelection.