Jamie Carroll, former Liberal national director, faces charge under Lobbying Act

The Mounties have charged the former national director of the federal Liberal party with running afoul of the Lobbying Act.

Jamie Carroll did not file a return with the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying, contrary to a section of the act, the RCMP alleged Monday.

In April 2013, the commissioner's office received a complaint from the director of an Ottawa health centre about Carroll.

The Mounties did not identify the health centre.

The RCMP says the health centre hired Carroll in July 2012 to lobby the government to adopt a pilot project that would test the application of its technology.

The commissioner's office referred the matter to the RCMP last November.

Could face$200K fine, jail time

The Mounties say they determined that Carroll was a paid lobbyist, but allege he broke the law by not filing a return with the commissioner's office.

"The RCMP Ottawa detachment financial crime section received the referral from the [Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying] and commenced its investigation and determined that Mr. James Carroll entered into an undertaking to communicate with public office holders for payment," says the RCMP release.

"However, he failed to file a return which is in contravention of the Lobbying Act."

The news release identifies Carroll with the first name James.

RCMP spokeswoman Jean Turner confirmed the lobbyist in question is in fact the same Jamie Carroll who once worked for the Liberals.

He resigned as the party's national director in 2007.

Under the Lobbying Act, Carroll faces a fine of as much as $200,000 or up to two years in prison, or both.

Carroll 'vigorously' denies charge

In a statement posted onFacebook, Carroll "vigorously" denied any wrongdoing.

• READ: Statement posted by Jamie Carroll on his Facebook page

He noted that in 2012, he was an employee of Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs.

"My role at Tactix was focused on business development. At no time did I ever lobby anyone in government on behalf of the client in question.

"I vigorously deny this charge and while I will not be litigating this matter in public (and therefore will have no further comment) I hope that those who know me and know how hard I have worked to build my reputation over many years in Ottawa know I would never be so foolish as to risk it on a matter like this," Carroll said.