Announcement comes on heels of damaging audit of 2006 campaign books

Vaughan’s budget chief quit the post prior to an evening council meeting April 27.

The announcement of Councillor Bernie DiVona’s resignation, made by deputy city clerk Sybil Fernandes, comes on the heels of a damaging audit report delving into his 2006 campaign finances, released last week.

Auditors Ken Froese of LECG Canada and Glen Davison found several apparent contraventions of the Municipal Elections Act, including overspending of his allowed $26,476 campaign limit by at least $9,436.

It’s now up to the DiVona’s council colleagues whether to hire a special prosecutor to pursue charges, as they did with Mayor Linda Jackson.

If found guilty of spending more than his campaign limit, DiVona, like Jackson, could face removal from office.

Vaughan Today
Online: April 27, 2009 [link]
Byline: Alexis Dobranowski and Philip Alves