Police Board to partner with Town of Cobourg on financial reporting as forensic audit continues

Photo by Dan Jones, CFWN, LJI

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.


Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland is accused of electioneering and bullying, 12 days ahead of a municipal vote, in which he is seeking re-election.

An explosive council meeting took place Tuesday evening as Cleveland wanted answers as to how the Police Service and its Board are now conducting a forensic audit of the policing finances.

Current Police Board Chair and Councillor Adam Bureau issued a statement Sunday that the Board was stonewalled by previous police administration to receive financial statements. Following Paul VandeGraaf’s retirement in June, a financial review was undertaken by the Board.

A forensic audit was then ordered based on the results of the undisclosed review. As well, The Inspectorate of Policing and the Ontario Provincial Police were consulted.

During Tuesday’s Council meeting, new Police Chief Chris Leather stated he only sought the advice of other policing agencies, and that these actions should not be characterized as misconduct.

“I should emphasize that the review process should not be characterized as finding misconduct. The purpose of examining the financial position is to establish the facts, understand the contributing factors, and determine whether further investigation or corrective action is necessary,” Leather said.

Leather added that advice given to him by the outside agencies was not to refer to the matter or that these discussions are an indication of wrongdoing.

Following the press release by the Police Board Sunday, Cleveland issued his own statement Monday.

“What is contained in this press release is both concerning and dismaying. I wish I could say I am personally shocked, but the public record will show I have always believed financial malfeasance was possibly taking place, specifically in regard to the CPS Budget,” the statement read.

Adam Bureau and Deputy Nicole Beatty both sit on the Police Board. Bureau is contesting for Deputy Mayor, while Beatty is contesting for Mayor.

She issued her own statement saying the Board was aware of financial reporting issues and publicly stated last month a review was underway.

“The outcome of that review identified discrepancies and reporting concerns. The Board then referred the report, following Board procedures, to the Inspectorate of Policing. It was also provided to the Town Treasurer for a peer review and the OPP was consulted. The Board publicly announced the financial review on September 9, confirming that it had directed the review in July. That announcement outlined its scope: expenditures, revenues, contractual obligations and projected year-end costs. It also announced a public Finance Committee meeting to provide an update,” Beatty wrote. “It is disappointing that the incumbent Mayor has chosen to mischaracterize this transparent, ongoing process for political gain. The Police Service Board needs time to complete its due diligence, and these documented actions demonstrate our commitment to financial scrutiny.”

Leather explained yesterday that collective bargaining commitments and overtime are part of the reason the police service is in its current financial situation. The new CBA was negotiated last year. Bureau told council that policing costs have gone up due to the encampment at the former Brookside site and officer patrols in and around the emergency shelter at 310 Division Street.

Leather confirmed to Councillor Mariam Mutton that the forensic audit will not be concluded ahead of the next budget cycle deliberations.

Council agreed that increased collaboration and partnership between the Chief Administrative Officer, the Town Treasurer and the Police Service over financial reporting was the best course of action going forward, and approved an amended motion by Bureau.

At the end of the meeting, Councillor Brian Darling accused Cleveland of going too far in his questioning of CAO Tracey over her knowledge of Cobourg’s finances when she started in October 2020. Today, Cleveland issued a second statement today denying accusations of a coordinated political attack.

“In yesterday’s Special Council meeting, I was accused, in a coordinated, pre-planned attack by Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty and Councillors Bureau and Darling, of “bullying and interrogating” Town of Cobourg CAO Tracey Vaughan. This is, of course, patently false. At no point was my tone or tenor attacking, bullying or, more ridiculously, interrogating.” Cleveland’s statement said. “I welcome outside human resources or legal expertise to evaluate and scrutinize whether my approximately seven minutes of questions constitutes an interrogation.”