10:17 a.m. update:
Gerry Lougheed Jr. has released a statement to the media regarding the charges.
“I will be vigorously defending these charges in the courts,” he said in a press release.
Lougheed, who is chair of the Sudbury Regional Police Services Board, said he will step down from that position and his role as chancellor of Huntington University until the matter is resolved.
“I have no further comments at this time as this matter is now before the courts,” he said in a press release.
Earlier release from Ontario Provincial Police:
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OPP investigation leads to criminal charges
Sudbury Electoral Candidate Nomination Process
ORILLIA – Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged one person following a complex investigation into allegations of irregularities involving a local electoral candidate nomination process in Sudbury.
The investigation by members of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch began in January of 2015.
In consultation with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC), the findings of the investigation led to criminal charges being laid on September 24, 2015.
The OPP has charged Mr. Gerald Lougheed Jr., aged 61 years of Sudbury, with one count of Counselling an Offence Not Committed [Section 464 (a) of the Criminal Code] and one count of Unlawfully Influencing or Negotiating Appointments [Section 125 (b) of the Criminal Code].
Mr. Lougheed is expected to appear in Sudbury court on November 18, 2015.
This has been a very uncommon investigation.
The OPP will not comment further on matters of evidence in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and the ensuing court process.
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