Citizens continue to question North Bay mayor’s corporate card expenses

Two North Bay citizens who filed freedom of information (FOI) requests to access Mayor Peter Chirico’s credit card expenses recently met with lawyer Paul Burbank, who is representing the city’s integrity commissioner, Guy Giorno. Following a 90-minute discussion, Kevin Ferris and Nicole Peltier expressed optimism to CTV News about the process – emphasizing their pursuit of transparency and accountability.

Optimistic after meeting

“I think we gave him a lot to think about,” Ferris said. “You know, we didn’t initiate this process. The mayor did. I know some people are concerned with the cost of this investigation. That’s not on us. We didn’t do this.”

Ferris and Peltier shared FOI-obtained documents with Burbank, detailing expenses they believe warrant scrutiny.

Mayor’s expenses under investigation

Giorno’s investigation into Chirico’s expenses began after the mayor himself requested a review of any potential wrongdoing. The FOI documents revealed that Chirico charged approximately $16,000 in personal expenses to the city’s corporate card in 2023 and 2024. These expenses included gifts, a dinner with members of the Clean, Green Beautiful North Bay, cigarettes, gas, car washes, dog treats, North Bay Battalion hockey tickets, beer and wings and golf club memberships at Osprey Links in Callander.

Additionally, Chirico has faced accusations of “double-dipping” by submitting gas receipts while also claiming mileage reimbursements.

“We wanted to point out some of the more glaring issues in those expenses that were submitted,” Ferris said. “The people aren’t going to forget this. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Expenses flagged by city officials

The discrepancies first came to light after an interim budget analyst identified anomalies in the city’s finances and alerted the director of strategic initiatives. Outgoing CFO Margaret Karpenko subsequently emailed CAO John Severino, stating that the expenses were not authorized under any bylaw.

In her letter, Karpenko wrote that she had discovered items that “required the immediate attention of the CAO” and recommended revoking the card and returning it to the finance department. Despite Chirico agreeing to a repayment plan, spending continued into 2024 and even this year, with Severino approving the expense reports.

Both Chirico and Severino have declined to comment until Giorno’s investigation concludes.

Calls for resignation and further action

Ferris has been vocal in his criticism, stating, “I don’t understand how we get to this point, you know? We need to get to the bottom of it. To my mind, the mayor needs to resign and the CAO needs to be relieved of his duties.”

City spokesperson Gord Young previously confirmed to CTV News that Chirico surrendered his corporate card on July 4.

Council divided on next steps

City council remains divided on how to proceed. A motion calling for a forensic audit of the mayor’s expenses was defeated in a 7-3 vote, with the majority preferring to wait for Giorno’s findings. However, Councillors Tanya Vrebosch, Sara Inch, and Jamie Lowery have warned that the integrity commissioner’s investigation has a “narrow scope.”

Council also rejected a second attempt, led by Vrebosch, to hold a special meeting to discuss obtaining third-party legal and HR support.

“We need that right now. Talking about our responsibilities under the Municipal Act, I thought there’s a reason why we should be getting together,” Vrebosch said. “I know that I can hold my head up high. I’ve done what I can and now I have to wait for the rest of council to start pulling up their socks.”

Expressing frustration, Vrebosch added, “I’ve got nothing left up my sleeve. I’ve tried everything I can. It’s disheartening that none of them (other councillors) work together. If they’re not going to listen to me, maybe they’ll listen to their constituents because North Bay is mad.”

Mayor maintains innocence, concerns over process remain

Chirico insists he has repaid all expenses and denies any wrongdoing. However, Ferris remains skeptical about the outcome, noting that council must vote to implement any recommendations from Giorno’s report.

“They also have to vote to even have the integrity commissioner present the report to council,” he said.

Emails to Giorno’s office regarding the report’s release timeline have gone unanswered.