Brampton city councillors have voted to send a forensic audit to police for an investigation after the report found that its members, including Mayor Susan Fennell, violated city spending rules 265 times.

The 96-page audit, conducted by Deloitte, was prompted by media reports examining the expenses claimed for reimbursement by the mayor and Brampton city councillors from December 2010 to January 2014.

After a four-month investigation, Deloitte Canada found that Fennell and her staff had improperly billed the municipality for $131,581 in improper charges and expenses.

It also found $155,952 in charges that may have breached city rules, but the audit said there was not enough information provided to be certain. One example was approximately $45,000 per year for an on-call limousine service paid for by the mayor’s office. The auditors were not able to verify if the charge complied with city policy as there were no reports on how often the service was used or for what purpose.

The other expenses deemed in violation of city spending rules ranged from business-class airfare tickets to storage units, according to the audit.

In one instance, three councillors claimed daily per diem expenses for a two-week trade mission to India despite an itinerary that stated daily meals would be included in the first week of the trip.

Other charges:

  • The audit found that during two Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) meetings in 2009, Fennell stayed in hotels that cost more than city-approved rates. At the Victoria, B.C. meeting, the audit found that the mayor stayed in a $369-per-night room. A city worker in the same hotel stayed in a room that cost $169 per night. During the FCM’s annual conference that year, Fennell stayed in a $509-per-night room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
  • The report also noted several large cellphone bills due to international calls, and roaming and data charges that could have been avoided by using an international calling package. One monthly bill was as high as $1,156.

The audit also found that some expenses were submitted by councillors and reimbursed twice. When contacted by Deloitte, the councillors said they intended to repay the duplicate amount.

Despite finding some improper charges, the audit cleared Fennell of using staff to help organize an annual gala and golf classic on the city's tab. It found that staff involved had a minimal role in both events during business hours.

None of the audit's findings have been proven in a court of law and no charges have been laid.

Brampton mayor responds to audit

In a statement released Tuesday night, Fennell said that she accepts some of what was said in the report but not all of it. She added that she hasn't read the full document and will comment further on Wednesday.

"I have the privilege and the honour of being the Mayor of this great city, and the buck stops here – with me. I accept responsibility for all that I do as Mayor of Brampton, positive and less positive," Fennell, who is running for re-election this fall, wrote.

She added that she will make changes if necessary, and will work with councillors to ensure they accept responsibility for the improper expenses.

With files from The Canadian Press