Richmond County CAO Warren Olsen resigns after spending scandals
Joan Weeks | CBC News | Posted: October 27, 2016 7:50 PM | Last Updated: October 27, 2016
Audit found Olsen charged municipality for money spent at Texas adult entertainment clubs
Richmond County Warden Victor David says CAO Warren Olsen has resigned.
The resignation is due to take effect on Oct. 31.
David said the municipality has been negotiating with Olsen about his departure. The warden would not provide any details about those negotiations.
- Forensic audit calls out Richmond County CAO, some councillors
- Nova Scotia ombudsman slams Richmond County officials for 'self-serving' expenses
Olsen's travel and expense claims were singled out and heavily criticized in a forensic audit and in an ombudsman's report into Richmond County's finances.
In one case, he charged $582 on his municipal credit card for back-to-back nights at adult entertainment clubs in Houston. An expense claim filed by Olsen listed one of those evenings as a reception/meal.
The reports also said Olsen and former warden Steve Sampson spent public money on alcohol and questionable travel and food expenses. According to the ombudsman, Olsen bought alcohol to keep in his office, which councillors drank after meetings.
Olsen has been on medical leave for substance abuse treatment. CBC News has reached out to Olsen for comment but he has not returned calls.