Mayor 'disturbed and disgusted' at Chiarelli allegations, promises action

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says he admires the bravery of the women who have spoken outagainstCoun. Rick Chiarelli, and is exploring ways tomake iteasier for complainants to come forward in the future.

Watson spoke Thursday about his disgust at the stories that severalwomen all of whom either worked for the College ward councillor or interviewed for a position in his office haveshared in recent weeks with CBC News.

"I'm very much disturbed and disgusted with the allegations against Coun. Chiarelli. It's very frustrating for us because ... the matter's before the integrity commissioner, and as days go on, more people are coming forward," Watson said.

"And I respect and admirethe bravery of these women who are coming forward boththose who are anonymous and certainly those who have given their names."

Strip clubs, nude photos

Earlier this month, a woman told CBCthat Chiarelliasked herinappropriate questions of a sexual nature during a summer 2019 job interview, including whether she was comfortable not wearing a bra to work events.

She subsequently filed a complaint with the city's integrity commissioner.

Since that story was published, six morewomen have shared their experiences with CBC. One of Chiarelli's former assistants, Victoria Laaber, said he would pressure her to wear revealing outfits and send her "on assignment" to local strip clubs, under the guise of spying on another council member.

Angelica Dixon, who worked for Chiarelli for four months, said he asked her during her interview if she was comfortable wearing short skirts and showing cleavage. She also said Chiarelli would speak openly abouthaving seen nude photos of a former employee an allegation CBC verified withtwo other former employees.

In a letter to CBC, Chiarelli's lawyer, Bruce Sevigny, said the councillor "adamantly denies the allegations" and thatChiarelli will "respond more substantively when his health permits."

After the first allegations were made public, Chiarelli requested a leave of absence from the city for an unspecified medical issue. City council declined to vote on that request Wednesday, with city clerk Rick O'Connor calling it "premature."

'Probably' could do better

Watson said Thursday he'd met earlier that morningwith O'Connor to "better understand" how to ensure those who work in municipal politicians' officesareaware of their rights.

"We probably haven't done a very good job notifying them that there is help available," Watson said.

New allegations against Chiarelli 'concerning,' councillors say

5 years ago

Duration 0:48

Coun. Riley Brockington said the latest allegations left him 'shocked.' Coun. Jeff Leiper said he was thinking about how to make sure political staffers have a safe work environment.

Watson said the city would soon release aseries of recommendations so that politicians' staffers know they have "recourse if any inappropriate behaviour has taken place on the part of a politician."

"They're not under a collective agreement, like every other employee. But they have to be treated as any other employee [with] the right to go and lodge a complaint against a subordinate or a peer," Watson said.

"This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable."

Chiarelli should resign if allegations are 'accurate,' councillors say

5 years ago

Duration 0:33

Coun. Shawn Menard is calling on Coun. Rick Chiarelli to resign "if he knows the accounts to be true." Six more women have come forward with allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour by Chiarelli.

Coun. Theresa Kavanagh,council's first-ever liaison on women's issues, has also asked the mayor and hercouncil colleaguesto sign up for training on gender issues in the wake of the allegations.