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Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas does not believe any current or former city council members are at the centre of an RCMP-led corruption investigation, although he says he did not get that information from police.
“My understanding at this point is that no member of council past or present is the target of an investigation,” he told reporters outside council chambers on Wednesday.
“However, certain evidence that they may have in terms of text messages or emails they received are being submitted to the RCMP to be able to support the investigation of a third party.”
Farkas believes allegations have been levelled against a local business, but added that he has not been contacted by the RCMP as of Wednesday afternoon.
The mayor clarified his comments are based on what he’s heard from colleagues, and he believes the investigation should stay at arm’s length from current council members.
“I take [former] mayor Gondek at her word. I take councillor Chabot at his word as well,” Farkas said. “But to be crystal clear, I only know what is publicly available.”
Search warrants and production orders were executed last week on a number of properties, including the homes of former mayor Jyoti Gondek, sitting Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot and former councillor Sean Chu.
Details come from multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation. CBC News has agreed to protect their identities because they are not authorized to comment publicly.
In a statement sent to CBC News, Gondek said: “I have been fully co-operative and respect the legal process.”
Chu’s lawyer, Shamsher Kothari, also provided a statement to CBC News, saying, “My client has been co-operative throughout and respects the legal process.”
Chabot told reporters Tuesday his phone was seized last week, but said he was not questioned and he does not believe he is a target of the investigation.
“I’m fully complying. I have nothing to hide,” said Chabot.
‘Huge distraction’ from rezoning hearing, councillor says
One of Calgary’s new city councillors told reporters the investigation has become a “huge distraction” from the ongoing public hearing on blanket rezoning.
“It’s very frustrating to have to sit there and try to navigate what could or couldn’t be,” said Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston.
“We really don’t know anything … right now we ’re in the dark.”
Johnston said he would like the RCMP to share more information with city council “to ensure that we’re on the same page.”
An RCMP spokesperson has confirmed an investigation is ongoing but declined to provide further comment.