A former Sarnia councillor, defeated in last fall's municipal election, has named Mayor Mike Bradley and three councillors in a code of conduct complaint.
Matt Mitro filed a lengthy document and affidavit with the city clerk on February 28. He alleges the mayor violated council's code between May of 2017 and the present, and that councillors Margaret Bird, Bill Dennis and David Boushy breached it, since the October 2018 election.
The complaint lists 182 exhibits that include meeting excerpts, and media stories and commentary.
Deputy City Clerk James Jenkins said the city's new integrity commissioner Paul Watson will first determine if the complaint has to do with the code of conduct or other legislation or policy, in which case it would be deferred.
"They may decide that it is with respect to the code of conduct in which case they would begin an investigation," said Jenkins. "The first step would be to reach out to any members of council named in the complaint and ask for a written response."
Jenkins said the integrity commissioner can also refuse the complaint.
"If the integrity commissioner deems that the complaint is frivolous or vexatious, the integrity commissioner can refuse the complaint in which case the integrity commissioner wouldn't make a report to council. The report would be part of an annual report to council that wouldn't name the individuals involved in the complaint," said Jenkins.
If an investigation proceeds, Jenkins said the integrity commissioner, who is on retainer and bills by the hour, has 90 days to complete his final report.