Criminal charges have been filed in a byelection scandal. Gerry Lougheed Jr is facing two separate criminal charges associated with his actions concerning the provincial byelection last February. Lougheed is charged with a single count of unlawfully influencing or negotiating appointments and a single count of counseling an offence not committed. The byelection scandal started with a complaint. Andrew Olivier, the former candidate for the Liberal party, told investigators that he was offered the opportunity to step aside in last February’s provincial byelection in exchange for an appointment or job to make way for Glenn Thibeault, the New Democrat candidate and the preferred candidate of Premier Kathleen Wynne. According to Wynne Olivier was not actually going to be a candidate anyway so there would be no reason to offer him anything. Wynne also claimed that this was the way the Liberals were trying to keep Olivier in the fold.

After an investigation into the byelection scandal criminal charges were filed against Gary Lougheed Jr. According to an OPP press release “This has been a very uncommon investigation. The OPP will not comment further on matters of evidence in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and the ensuing court process.” Olivier recorded phone conversations that he had with Lougheed, and also phone conversations with Pat Sorbara, the deputy chief of staff for Wynne. No criminal charges have been filed against Sorbara. If Lougheed is convicted he could be sentenced to 5 years in prison. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled to be held in November.