Chiarelli denying sexual misconduct allegations, calling them part of coordinated ‘political attack’

By Mike Vlasveld

According to Ottawa City Councillor Rick Chiarelli, he is facing multiple sexual harassment claims because of his “attempts to bring greater transparency to the LRT procurement process.”

In a lengthy statement released by the councillor on Thursday, he said he retained legal counsel in July because he believed he was about to be the target of a political attack.

“I had no idea, at the time, of the direction that these political attacks might take,” wrote Chiarelli. “Then, we were made aware of one of my political adversaries attempting to persuade a number of women to join an organized group to speak negatively about me.”

A number of women, who had either worked for or been interviewed by Chiarelli in the past, shared stories about sexually inappropriate behavior by the councillor after a report by CBC Ottawa on September 12. That report included an account of a woman who claimed the councillor asked her if she would be okay not wearing a bra while working for him.

Chiarelli said there is a “mob-mentality” among his accusers. In his statement, the councillor said the women came forward with “inaccurate characterization[s] of past events.” He added that the situation has reached a point where he feels he needs to “step forward and defend his good name.”

“I can say, without reservation, that I have never treated a member of my staff (including job candidates) in a sexually harassing, discriminatory, or inappropriate 'gender-based' fashion,” the councillor wrote.

Chiarelli then said he also disagrees with the city's decision to have its Integrity Commissioner investigate the sexual misconduct allegations against him. He wrote that while the commissioner may be an expert in many areas, “[It] clearly does not possess the specialized human rights expertise possessed by members of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.”

The councillor again cited medical reasons for not releasing a statement in his defense sooner. Although he has not released any information regarding his medical condition, he said he has “been dealing with serious, well-documented and objectively verifiable health issues since the middle of August.”

No one working at Chiarelli's constituency office knew that he was planning on releasing a statement, Thursday.

Read the full statement from Chiarelli:

“In recent days, I have received repeated requests (often seeming more like demands) for some comment in relation to the mainly anonymous allegations against me that have surfaced in multiple media reports over the last number of days.

Unfortunately, my ability to respond to these allegations in a more timely fashion has been affected by ongoing and serious medical challenges. There has been some troubling suggestion that my recent request for approved medical leave is disingenuous and/or opportunistic, and related to some reluctance or inability, on my part, to address these allegations, but I can confirm, in the clearest of terms, that I have been dealing with serious, well-documented and objectively verifiable health issues since the middle of August. Also, I have been restricted in speaking because of the expectation of confidentiality that is part of the complaint process.

Notwithstanding this indisputable reality, this situation has reached a level of seriousness, and has adopted what I can only describe as an apparent “mob-mentality” approach to the inaccurate characterization of past events, where I need to write this to step forward and defend my good name, reputation, and three decades of public service, irrespective of any potential adverse health consequences. I feel that I owe this to my loyal constituents. More importantly, I owe this to my loving wife, and to my three wonderful, accomplished daughters. Their love and support is what keeps me going at this difficult time.

I can say, without reservation, that I have never treated a member of my staff (including job candidates) in a sexually harassing, discriminatory, or inappropriate “gender-based” fashion.

People should know that I formally retained legal counsel in July of this year, after learning that I was being targeted over my attempts to bring greater transparency to the LRT procurement process. I had no idea, at the time, of the direction that these political attacks might take. Then, we were made aware of one of my political adversaries attempting to persuade a number of women to join an organized group to speak negatively about me. Those spoken to definitely included some who have made public complaints in the media.

There has been much discussion, in recent media reports, about the multiple anonymous complaints that have purportedly been filed against me with the City's Integrity Commissioner. Lurid details of these complaints have been openly reported in the media — with a degree of coordination and timing that is typically seen from seasoned political advisors and/or public relations professionals — despite clear and formal confidentiality requirements associated with the Integrity Commissioner's formal complaint process. I have respected these confidentiality requirements, the other side (still officially anonymous) has not.

It is important to stress, however, that allegations related to workplace gender discrimination or workplace sexual harassment are not matters that are properly placed before the City's Integrity Commissioner.

(See below for relevant portions of the City's Code of Conduct.)

I have been advised, by experienced legal counsel, that the vast majority of the allegations that have been raised against me are properly and thoroughly covered by the protections and processes set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code.

As specifically stated by my lawyer several weeks ago, when these allegations first surfaced, I am fully prepared to respond to any human rights complaint that any former employee, or candidate for employment, might see fit to file against me. 

Of course, the process associated with any such complaint provides me with basic procedural rights that are in keeping with what any person facing such allegations would reasonably expect in this country:

  • I would be entitled to know the identity of my accuser. 
  • I would be entitled to know the full particulars of the allegations that were being raised against me. 
  • I would be entitled to an adjudicative process where sworn evidence was required, and where my lawyer could test the veracity of any such evidence through cross-examination.

I suspect that most people in this country would feel strongly about being afforded these basic rights if they were accused.

Given the clear language of the Code of Conduct, it is very difficult to understand the concerted and coordinated push to have these matters determined by a process that is secretive and virtually untested, by an official who, while an expert in many areas, clearly does not possess the specialized human rights expertise possessed by members of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Yet, certain of my Council colleagues continue to actively and publicly promote the Integrity Commissioner as the most appropriate person to rule on these disturbing allegations, through the utilization of a process that clearly restricts and prejudices my ability to defend myself.

It appears that we have reached a point where today all that is needed is a series of copy-cat scandalous allegations to cause a politically-correct rush to judgement, and the decimation of a 30-year political career, without any critical testing of evidence. It appears that many of my colleagues and peers place short-term political popularity ahead of the presumption of innocence.

While this may be Rick Chiarelli's problem today, please don't fool yourselves into believing that my stated issues and concerns don't have much broader application and significance.  The same script could be weaponized to attack anyone, at any time, with the same ruthless speed and efficiency.  The next time, it might be another member of Council.  Or it might be your son, or your brother, or your father, or your husband… tomorrow, or next month, or next year.”

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