Todd Cowan expense claims now being probed by OPP

Waterloo Regional Police have turned over their investigation into expense claims made by Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan to the Ontario Provincial Police. 

According to a release from police in Waterloo, Chief Bryan Larkin decided to have the provincial force take over in the interest of impartiality and transparency.

The OPP's anti-rackets branch, which specializes in fraud and finance-related crime, will lead the investigation and its detectives will ultimately make the decision over whether or not to lay charges in the case. 

Cowan has been accused of double-billing the region and the township for $2,770, and double-billing $465.62 in mileage to the township and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Both Woolwich township council and the Region of Waterloo council asked police to look into whether the duplication was an accident or a case of wrong doing.