The mayor of Thunder Bay and two other people have been charged with extortion.
On Friday, the Ontario Provincial Police announced it has charged both Keith Hobbs and his wife Marisa Hobbs with one count of extortion and one count of obstructing justice each.
A third person, Mary Voss, from Thunder Bay, has been charged with extortion.
The OPP is not releasing any details; only saying the charges stem from an 'ongoing criminal investigation'.
“The OPP will not comment further in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and the ongoing court process,” reads a statement from the police.
City council received legal advice on the matter at a closed session meeting on Thursday evening.
"In the matter of Criminal Code charges laid against mayor Keith Hobbs, the City of Thunder Bay will not be making a public comment as the matter is before the courts, other than to assure the public the charges are unrelated to municipal business or issues," reads a statement from the city.
City councillor Trevor Giertuga is serving as acting mayor for the remainder of the month.
“As the mayor works through this personal matter, City Council commits to our citizens and our community to work together to cover the duties and responsibilities of the mayor,” said Giertuga.
“We are working with administration to cover the meetings, appointments and events in the mayor’s calendar. We are supported by our more than 2,000 employees who provide dedicated service to the citizens of Thunder Bay day in and day out."
City councillor Linda Rydholm will serve as the deputy mayor for August.
Hobbs was first elected mayor of Thunder Bay in 2010. He was re-elected in 2014.
He was a member of the Thunder Bay Police Service for 34 years, before retiring in 2010.
“The mayor’s policing career offered a unique insight into the challenges facing Thunder Bay,” reads his biography, posted on the City of Thunder Bay’s website.
“Mayor Hobbs is compelled to raise the bar in community safety and crime reduction with a commitment to having a safer, inclusive, cleaner, greener, prosperous and proud community with the assistance and partnership of every citizen and business in the City of Thunder Bay.”
