Jim Karygiannis reinstated to city council while audit continues

A Superior Court judge has ruled Ward 22 councillor Jim Karygiannis can return to his seat at city council amid an audit of his election scandal. Ginella Massa has more on Karygiannis' emotional reaction to the news.

By News Staff

Jim Karygiannis has been reinstated as the councillor for Scarborough-Agincourt while an audit on his election spending proceeds, the Superior Court of Justice has ruled.

According to the City of Toronto, Karygiannis’ financial statement for the 2018 election showed that he exceeded the allowable spending amount by more than $25,000, leading to his removal as the councillor for Ward 22.

But Karygiannis argued it was “clerical error” in paperwork and a Superior Court judge is giving him the benefit of the doubt, ruling that it would be “unfair” to subject Karygiannis “to the extreme punishment of forfeiture of offence, when there was an inadvertent error made …”

“At this point there has been no finding that Mr. Karygiannis incurred expenses in excess of the prescribed limits,” the ruling adds.

The judge added that penalties “do not apply if the candidate, acting in good faith committed the offence inadvertently or because of an error …”

However, should Karygiannis be found guilty of knowingly violating the rules, he could still be ousted.

“If, following a hearing on the merits, Mr. Karygiannis is convicted, the penalties set out … including the penalty of forfeiture of office would be available at that time,” the judge ruled.

Reached by phone on Monday night, Karygiannis thanked his supporters and said he was looking forward to getting back to work at city hall.

“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster,” he said. “I’m happy to be back … I have a couple of weeks to catch up on.”

A day later, he was all business after arriving at city hall.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my work,” he said, while again thanking his supporters.

Mayor John Tory said many constituents have come forward to speak highly of Karygiannis while he’s been away.

He also accepted the court’s decision on the matter.

“This has been handled in the way we handle things in this great country of ours where we have a court system. In this case he had his day in court and the judge made a decision to exercise his discretion … so he’ll be back doing his job.”

 

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