Mlanie Joly drops former escort candidate over financial investigation

Mayoralty candidateMlanieJolyannounced she is droppingBibianeBovetfrom her team because of an investigation by the QuebecFinancial Markets Authority, not because she formerlyworked as an escort.

At a news conference Sunday afternoon,Jolysaid she does not regret publicly defendingBoveton Friday, but said she was supporting her candidate as atransgender personwith a history of working in the sex trade, not as someone withquestionable financial activity.

• Mlanie Joly defends her candidate, Bibiane Bovet, a former escort

"We had toanalyzethe structure of her business and had serious doubts about the legality of her enterprise," saidJoly.

"I met with Mme.Bovet, but still could not alleviate those doubts...Basedon questions that remained inadequately answered, we decided to dropher as a candidate."

In the end, it was our organization's mistake, but it was an honest mistake.- Mayoralty candidateMlanieJoly on Bibiane Bovet

On Saturday, LaPressenewspaper published an article claimingthatBovetwas currently under investigation by Quebec's financialauthority (AMF) over tens of thousands of dollars incurrency investment.

Joly said that in light ofthe importance of removing corruption from Montreal city hall, she has to be certain that her candidateshad clean financial records.

"Integrity in this election is very important and under the circumstances, that cannot be compromised," said Joly.

She said that because her campaign team is a smallorganization with limited resources, she could not have known thatBovet was under investigation by the AMFearlier.

"In the end, it was our organization's mistake, but it was an honest mistake," said Joly.

"the decision would be the same for all candidates."

Bovetwill not be able torun as an independent candidate, because Oct. 4 nomination deadline has passed.