CHARGED: Mario Campese, left, and Mayor Linda Jackson face elections act charges. (Philip Alves/Vaughan Today)

Mayor Linda Jackson faces potential expulsion from office and her husband, Mario Campese, may be hit with thousands of dollars in fines.

The pair has been served with dozens of charges stemming from a court-ordered audit of Jackson’s 2006 campaign books.

Special prosecutor Timothy Wilkin, hired by city council in June to pursue legal action, laid 68 charges against the embattled mayor last Thursday and another five against Campese, Jackson’s 2006 campaign manager.

The audit found several apparent contraventions of the Municipal Elections Act, including spending $12,356 more than Jackson’s $120,419 campaign limit.

Jackson could be expelled from office and disqualified from running in the next municipal election if convicted of overspending.

Campese allegedly accepted contributions from ineligible donors, and cash contributions from individuals of more than $25, the maximum allowed under the elections act.

If found guilty, Campese could face a fine of up to $5,000 for each offence.

Under council’s direction, Wilkin has the authority to enter plea bargains with Jackson and Campese, as well as determine what penalties to seek from the court upon a conviction.

Both Jackson and Campese referred all questions to lawyer Morris Manning, who could not be reached for comment by press time.

A court date has been set for May 29.

Vaughan Today
In print: May 1, 2009, page 3
Online: May 2, 2009 [link]