Quebec's chief electoral officer is investigating allegations made by a current city councillor about a former borough mayor.
In January, Snowdon councillor Marvin Rotrand told city council that last July former Côte-des-Neiges-N.D.G. mayor Russell Copeman offered him the job of Montreal ombudsman if he would not run in the November municipal election. He said while he could not say there was intent of corruption he still felt the offer should have never been made and thought it was wrong.
Rotrand ultimately ran again and was elected.
Fast forward two months and when questioned at a borough council meeting on March 12, Rotrand said he never reported the incident to election authorities.
"I was astounded," said Neal Mukherjee of the citizens advocacy group, CDN-NDG Research Group.
The group said they wanted to know if this was true and made a complaint with the Quebec Director General of Elections which confirmed in a letter this week it's opened a file and recommended an investigation, adding it was made aware of the allegations in January.
"We've got this accusation out there. If Russell Copeman didn't actually say this, his name should be cleared. We need to have some transparency," Mukherjee told CJAD 800 News.
Copeman denied any attempted corruption.
In a statement sent to CJAD 800 News, Copeman said that over the summer he was having conversations with his friend and colleague (Rotrand) about what the next phase of their careers would be. He said Rotrand had just been relieved of his duties as vice-president of the STM by then-mayor Denis Coderre, and the two were talking about new options. He said the possibility of Rotrand becoming a candidate for the position of ombudsman came up but said in no way was it ever promised in any offer.
Montreal's ombudsman, a position currently held by Johanne Savard, is chosen by a two-thirds majority vote by municipal council. Savard's current mandate ends November 2019.
"Over the course of an 18 career in public life I have always governed myself by the highest ethical standards. I categorically reject any accusation of corruption or corrupt intent surrounding these allegations. Any suggestion of a quid pro quo proposal is totally false," said Copeman.
Copeman said he may seek legal advice to protect his name and reputation.
CJAD 800 news is still waiting for comment from Rotrand.