Elliot Lake’s former mayor Chris Patrie is facing a nearly $90,000 legal bill following a court finding on Friday.
A judge has ordered Patrie to pay $89,144 in legal expenses incurred by the city’s Integrity Commissioner in his conflict-of-interest case.
Superior Court Justice Annalisa Rasaiah found the Integrity Commissioner incurred substantial costs for travel and excessive legal fees and should be compensated.
Patrie’s lawyer, Peter Berlingieri, argued no costs should be awarded with the penalty imposed on Patrie enough punishment for his violations of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act while he was a councillor.
This past January, Patrie was found guilty of violating the act, was removed from office as mayor and disqualified from holding public office for two years.
The Integrity Commissioner submitted that Patrie’s conduct throughout the process was obstructive, and unreasonable and caused Elliot Lake taxpayers considerable expense as a result.
The judge agreed and imposed the costs on Patrie.
Patrie has appealed the court’s decision about his removal from office and the courts have ordered council not to replace him as mayor until the results of his appeal are made public.
A one-day hearing on his appeal is set for the week of April 11.