PENTICTON — A man with a criminal history is taking another run at Penticton civic politics.
Jukka Laurio, 56, is campaigning to be mayor of Penticton.
It’s his second attempt.
Laurio took a run at the mayor’s seat in 2011, but withdrew after it was made public that he has a 2004 drug trafficking conviction. Laurio is an advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana.
“I have a criminal history and it was brought up. Instead of mudding the campaign with my criminal history, I figured, I got my message out so I backed out that time,” says Jukka.
Laurio also has a conviction for a sexual offence dating back nearly two decades ago involving a 14 year old girl.
“I’ve never admitted guilt for it, and I will never admit guilt for it. But I will accept the process of the legal system. I went to court, I was convicted under the system we have. I accepted the conviction, I did the time, but I will never admit guilt.”
Laurio joins current city councilors Andrew Jakubeit and John Vassilaki in running for mayor.
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