Corruption charge laid against Regina-area rural councillor Tim Probe

Police have charged acouncillorwith the rural municipality of Sherwood with municipal corruption and breach of trust.

In a news release Wednesday, the RM said Tim Probe, who isalso a deputy reeve, was charged Sept. 30 with the two Criminal Code offences.

The municipalitydid not say what led to Probe being charged.

"The RM of Sherwood will not be commenting on this matter because it is currently undergoingthe court process," the news release said. "The RM of Sherwood will cooperate with law enforcement in regards to anyinformation related."

The RM also said it wanted toassure ratepayers that this matter will not affect the operation of the rural municipality.

Probe says he will vigorously defend himself

CBC News contacted Probe, whodeclined to beinterviewedbut provided a brief comment on the charges.

He said the charges came out of left field and that he will defend himself vigorously in court.

Probe is set to make an appearance in court on Nov. 9.

While Probe told CBC News he will step away from his duties during the legal process, provincial officials said Wednesday that the minister responsible for government relations is insisting that he step down and would take steps to remove him from office if he did not voluntarily do so.

The office of the Saskatchewan Ombudsman is also involved.

In a statement released Tuesday, the office said an investigation into goings-on within the RM was underway but the statement did not elaborate on the matter, citing privacy provisions.

"We will not provide any further information on this investigation until it is complete," the statement said. "It is our intention to make this investigation report public."

Previous issues in the RM

The municipality, which surrounds Regina, is the same one involved in a major conflict of interest investigation in recent years that led to the removal of former reeve Kevin Eberle.

There's no word yet on whether ornotthe charges are related to that case.

The two Criminal Code charges Probe faces are:

• Breach of Trust of a Public Official - Section 122: Every official who, in connection with the duties of his office, commits fraud or a breach of trust is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, whether or not the fraud or breach of trust would be an offence if it were committed in relation to a private person.
• Municipal Corruption - Section 123 (1)(b):Every one is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years who directly or indirectly gives, offers or agrees to give or offer to a municipal official or to anyone for the benefit of a municipal official or, being a municipal official, directly or indirectly demands, accepts or offers or agrees to accept from any person for themselves or another person a loan, reward, advantage or benefit of any kind as consideration for the official ... to vote in favour of or against a measure, motion or resolution.