Investigation into Calgary city councillor's expenses to be forwarded to police

The findings of a forensic audit of Calgary Councillor Joe Magliocca's expense claims will be passed along to police.

On Tuesday evening, Calgary city council voted to release the report from the audit and to pass the findings along to Calgary police to "take appropriate action," as well as to the minister of municipal affairs. 

"I was pretty much shocked by what I saw in this report, by the pattern of behaviour that was highlighted in this report," Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said.

"Ultimately as politicians we're responsible to our voters, we're responsible to our constituents. But I also believe that every politician needs to hold themselves up to the highest level of ethical behaviour."

Council will issue a public letter of reprimand to the Ward 2 councillor, who will be asked to make a public apology. 

Magliocca will also receive training on relevant policies and will be banned from business trips until the organizational meeting of council in 2021. 

CBC News has reached out to Magliocca for comment and has yet to receive a response. 

In January, the Calgary Herald first reported that Magliocca expensed $6,400 — about double that of his colleagues — during a trip to the annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Quebec City the previous spring.

His expense claims included meals and alcohol he said were purchased for politicians he said he met with but some of those politicians said those meetings never took place. 

The city's integrity commissioner Sal LoVecchio would have been tasked with investigating and adjudicating the matter, but LoVecchio recused himself after he said he realized Magliocca expensed a $163 lunch the pair shared without his knowledge.

The investigation of Magliocca was handed to the city auditor who hired outside experts to conduct the forensic audit.

'Bad behaviour'

A letter to council from Shores Jardine LLP, the external counsel hired by the city, states that the report raised concerns about a number of Magliocca's expenses over a two-year period but does not state the total amount of money in question. 

Magliocca has voluntarily repaid $6,220.66, the letter said. 

It also notes that Magliocca either failed to provide the name of people he hosted or incorrectly named people he hosted in expenses totalling $2,248.58.

The report also recommends revisions be made for how council deals with its expenses and allowances, to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation.

Nenshi said the investigation into Magliocca showed "a pattern of bad behaviour."

As to whether or not the councillor should resign, "That is a question for Councillor Magliocca and for his voters and for the citizens of Ward 2," the mayor said. 

Magliocca has been a city councillor since 2013.