Mounties take over investigation into Magliocca’s expenses

CALGARY – The RCMP has taken over an investigation into a Calgary councillor’s expense reports.

Issues with Ward 2 councillor Joe Magliocca’s expenses first came to light earlier this year after Postmedia did a report into what all Magliocca expensed during a conference in Quebec City.

In February, a unanimous council vote sent his expenses for a forensic audit, which found over $5,000 dollars worth of improper claims.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), which conducted the audit, found that Magliocca expensed $36,687 as of December 31, 2019. Of this, $20,782 was determined to be eligible for reimbursement.

READ MORE: Forensic audit into councillor’s expenses show he improperly claimed $5,657

The other $10,247 is still to be reviewed by the city’s finance committee.

The city handed over the investigation to the Calgary police and the CPS has now passed the case on to Alberta Mounties, saying it’s best for transparency.

RELATED:
CTF says councillor’s spending is ‘disturbing’ and ‘deeply concerning’
Councillor apologizes for large expense, vows to repay most of it
City councillor doesn’t think changes are needed with expenses
Magliocca repays alcohol expenses since 2017 as council meets

Ward 10 councillor Ray Jones is in charge of approving councillors’ expenses. He says he approved Magliocca’s because he took him at his word, as he does with the rest of council.

“There’s nothing that’s nefarious that’s going on,” said Jones, adding he wasn’t on all the trips with Magliocca so he doesn’t know what went on during those trips.

“You’re barking up the wrong tree.”