The Town of Amherstburg's integrity commissioner has dismissed a conflict of interest complaint against Deputy Mayor Chris Gibbons and Councillor Molly Allaire, according to a report released Tuesday.
Complaint details
The complaint, filed by a resident in February, alleged that Gibbons and Allaire violated the municipality's code of conduct by voting on a matter that could financially benefit them. The matter involved a zoning amendment for a property on Simcoe Street, where both officials own land nearby.
In his decision, Integrity Commissioner John M. Mascarin wrote that the complaint lacked sufficient evidence to prove a conflict of interest. He noted that the officials' properties were not directly affected by the zoning change, and their votes were cast in good faith.
Official responses
Deputy Mayor Gibbons said he was pleased with the outcome and maintained that he had always acted in the public interest. Councillor Allaire echoed those sentiments, stating that the complaint was baseless and a waste of municipal resources.
The complainant, who requested anonymity, expressed disappointment but accepted the commissioner's decision.
This is the second complaint against Amherstburg council members to be dismissed this year, raising questions about the threshold for proving misconduct.
