Chiarelli investigation 'at a standstill,' says integrity commissioner

The city's integrity commissioner says his investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving Coun. Rick Chiarelliis at a standstill, according to a report released late Friday afternoon.

And while Robert Marleausays he will give Chiarelli "a reasonable amount of time" to respond to the formal complaints against him, he's also prepared to conclude theinvestigation without hearing from the College ward representative.

A CBCNews investigation last fall corroborated the stories of 13 women who accused the councillor of inappropriate behaviour and reported the experiences of eight of them.

One job applicantalleged that Chiarelliasked her about going braless to work events, while another said the councillorasked if she had ever considered stripping.

• 'Better without a bra': More women come forward with allegations against Chiarelli
• Councillor asked job applicant about going braless, woman alleges
• Former Chiarelli staffer comes forward with familiar tale

A former employee said Chiarelli would pressure her to wear revealing outfits and took her to a strip club to spy on another councillor.

• Ottawa Coun. Chiarelli pens denial, blames allegations on 'mob mentality'
• Chiarelli going to court to stop investigation into alleged behaviour

Chiarelli has denied the allegations both through his lawyer and in a personal statement, where he blamed the accusations on "mob mentality."

Interim report expected

Marleau had given notice he was going to bring his interim report to council on Feb. 12, something hehas the power to doto address "instances of interference, obstruction, delay or retaliation encountered during the investigation," according the city's website on the code of conduct for councillors.

A written version of that report was released late Friday, however, with the council agenda.

In the report, Marleau says several formal complaints aboutChiarelliwere filed between Sept. 6 and Oct. 8 complaints the integrity commissioner felt could be in contravention of the code of conduct.

Marleau's office then began gathering evidenceand doing interviews under oath. The integrity commissioner gaveChiarelli a copy of each complaint, with all the supporting materials, between Sept. 17 and Oct. 15and asked the councillor for a written response within 10 business days, which is what the rules call for.

Instead, Chiarelli challenged the integrity commissioner's jurisdiction to handle thecomplaints, and said he planned to apply for a judicial review of Marleau's authority over the matter although nothing has been filed in court so far.

When Marleauinformed Chiarelli he would be proceeding with the investigation, Chiarelli "advised that he did not intendtooffer a substantive response to the allegations," according to the report.

Around the same time, Chiarellihad requested an indefiniteleave of absence from council to deal with medical issues, which council denied.

On Dec. 10, 2019, Marleau sent a written request for Chiarelli to be interviewed under oath. Three days later, the councillor was admitted to the Ottawa Heart Institute forbypass surgery.

Subsequentmessages posted to Twitterand attributed to Chiarelli's wifeindicatethe councillor has been receiving treatment for a post-operative infection.

Marleau will wait 'reasonable' amount of time

Investigations are generally expected to take place within90 days of complaints being filed, but the investigation into Chiarelli has "been at a standstill pending the respondent's decision about whether to participate," Marleau stated in his report.

The integrity commissioner wrote that he's prepared to allow Chiarelli to "recover from his medical issues" before asking again for a formal response to the allegations. Chiarelli has indicated that he would consider speaking with Marleau once he's feeling better.

However, if Chiarelli doesn't respond after a "reasonable amount of time" it's unclear how much time that might be the integrity commissioner wrote that he could conclude his investigation without the councillor's input and bring his final report to council.

Marleau will appear before council Wednesday to present his interim report.