Disney World, gym membership: Hampstead mayor responds to scathing report on tax dollar spending
Hampstead city council was asked to answer to questions Tuesday night about town spending after a recent provincial report revealed the city's director general had expensed tens of thousands of city dollars for personal expenses, including a gym membership and a trip to Disney World.
Residents of Hampstead took part in a council meeting to ask questions about tax dollar spending, seek clarification and call on the mayor for transparency.
Mayor Jeremy Levi opened the council meeting by addressing the report from the Commission municipale du Quebec (CMQ).
He repeatedly defended the director general, Richard Sun, claiming he did not engage in any wrongdoing and that the council has no grounds to suspect foul play or improper conduct.
"Our administrative framework incorporates rigorous checks and balances, underscored by annual external audits that have consistently revealed no evidence of fraud or mismanagement," he said at the meeting.
He also repeatedly accused the media of sensational reporting on the director general, saying they were "dragging him through the mud."
Levi claimed there are justifiable explanations for the expenses highlighted in the report. For example, the Disney World trip cited in the report presented an incomplete picture, he said, because there was no visit to the theme park or its attractions. Instead, he said, it was for a social media conference in Orlando about PR, marketing and corporate communications. Levi said this wasn't a vacation, and the DG was there for town business.
The mayor also explained Sun has now retired, praising him for what he called "18 dedicated years of dedicated and exemplary service to the Town of Hampstead."
Levi said it was a planned retirement, and the timing is coincidental.
"It is regrettable that these circumstances have cast a shadow over the impeccable record of our director general, especially as he approached his previously announced retirement that took effect yesterday," said Levi.
Levi is promising to go above and beyond the recommendations in the CMQ report, and said the Town of Hampstead will be launching its own independent external investigation into the matter, and will make the findings public as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Helicopter carrying Iran's president suffers a 'hard landing,' state TV says, and rescue is underway
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a "hard landing" on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be.