Police investigating after Sudbury city councillor accuses colleague of making threats
A dispute between two city councillors in Sudbury has escalated to the point that police have been called in to investigate allegations of threats.
Sudbury police said Wednesday they have turned the investigation over to the North Bay Police service.
Matters between Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc came to a head at Tuesday's city council meeting. Leduc planned to table a motion to have Vagnini removed from the police services board.
The move came after Vagnini made a number of allegations involving criminality and other extreme events at the homeless encampment at Memorial Park.
Police and city staff refuted the allegations, prompting Leduc's motion to have Vagnini removed from the police services board.
In a previous interview, Leduc had said he was concerned about misinformation that was being spread regarding dead people being found in the homeless encampment.
While the motion didn't make it to a vote -- the meeting ended abruptly after council voted against going past the allotted three hours – an altercation reportedly happened after the meeting that led to the police complaint.
The Greater Sudbury Police Services has since issued a statement:
"We received a threats complaint from a city councillor in relation to a Greater Sudbury Police Services Board member. In order to protect the integrity of the investigation and in order to ensure objectivity, we have engaged the North Bay Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations."
CTV News also reached out to Mayor Brian Bigger's office for comment. His office said he is reserving the opportunity to comment until he's had a chance to speak with authorities.
Leduc said he's now considering pulling his motion.
"I have to worry about my personal safety now, that of my parents and my family," he said.
He declined any further comment until police have had a chance to do their work, adding the issue is now in the hands of council. He also asked for privacy for himself and his family as the process unfolds.
CTV News has been unable to reach Vagnini for comment.
In the meeting, however, he did make mention of potential legal action.
"I'm getting hung out to dry, like a witch hunt right now," he said while arguing with the mayor over whether he was at risk of having a conflict of interest in regards to Leduc's motion.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.