The investigation into Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan’s expense claims will be carried out by the OPP, with Waterloo Regional Police stepping away from the case.
“Upon receipt of the communication Chief of Police Bryan Larkin consulted with members of his senior leadership team and decided in the best interests of public confidence, transparency and impartiality, the matter would be best investigated by an outside police agency,” regional police announced in a statement Thursday.
The Ontario Provincial Police anti-rackets branch has agreed to undertake the investigation, including the decision whether or not criminal charges will be laid.
An investigation by the township and Region of Waterloo discovered some $2,700 in expenses paid by Woolwich but also reimbursed to Cowan by the region. The councils of both municipalities referred the matter to Waterloo Regional Police. The matter was later widened when a review of Cowan’s expense claims to the Grand River Conservation Authority found $465 in mileage claims that may have been double-billed.
