Richmond officials ask for money, apology over Facebook posts

Two people at the centre of the Richmond County expense scandal, CAO Warren Olsen and former warden Steve Sampson, are continuing with a defamation case against users behind a fake Facebook profile, CBC News has learned.

A legal lettersent Sept. 29, on behalf of Olsen and Sampson to four people in Richmond County states they had untilOct. 7, to respond.

"I will await a settlement proposal from you or yourcounsel, which includes compensation for the damages suffered by our clients, a full apology in a form satisfactory to our clients, and full indemnity for the legal expenses incurred," Halifax lawyer MichelleAwad said in the letter.

• Nova Scotia ombudsman slams Richmond County officials for 'self-serving' expenses

When contacted by CBC News,Awadwould not say if she's received an answer to the letter.She declined to comment further.

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge ordered Facebookin Juneto release the identities behind a profile.

Officials under fire for spending

That profile made "defamatory comments" about Olsen and Sampsonon aFacebookgroup called Taxpayers of Richmond County, N.S.,Awad allegedin the letter.

However, the people behind the profile have not been publicly identified.

The letter coincides with the release of a preliminary ombudsman's report, whichpinpoints both Warren Olsen and Steve Sampson for spendingamounts of public money on alcohol, food and even a taxi fare paid to a gentleman's club in Texas.

Olsen announced on Tuesday he is on medical leave for substance abuse. Steve Sampson is also on an unpaid leave of absence from the Nova Scotia Liberal Party, where he is employed, to deal with the expense scandal.