REGINA – The reeve of the rural municipality of Sherwood has been removed from his position and could be facing criminal charges after a Saskatchewan government inquiry found “serious conflicts of interest and violations of the public trust.”
The investigation found Kevin Eberle’s actions surrounding the proposed Wascana Village development were “highly inappropriate.” An agreement between Eberle and Great Prairie Development Corporation in November 2013 would have compensated the reeve up to $57.8 million over a 13-year span.
The report outlines examples of Eberle attempting to exert influence on RM of Sherwood council decisions regarding the Wascana Village concept plan.
After a number of allegations were brought forward about the development, a retired justice was appointed in June 2014 by the government to inspect the RM’s decision-making.
Under sections of The Municipalities Act, the Province removed Eberle and appointed Neil Robertson as interim reeve as well as an official administrator to oversee Sherwood’s day-to-day operations.
“This is not a step any government would ever want to take,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said in a news release. “The serious findings in this report require extraordinary action to ensure the best interests of Sherwood ratepayers are protected.”
RAW AUDIO: Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter speaks to reporters about removal of the RM of Sherwood reeve
On January 20, a government spokesperson confirmed the report was being reviewed by the prosecutions branch of the Ministry of Justice. The findings have since been sent to the RCMP to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted.
Eberle offered to resign his seat on January 14, but was turned down by Sherwood councillors.
Legal fees charged to the RM total more than $400,000 – the bulk of them belonging to council members including Eberle, who was reimbursed for most of his costs.
The RM has remained tight-lipped since the report was completed in late 2014, with Deputy Reeve Tim Probe suggesting the Province needs better laws for conflict of interest disclosure.
Probe fired back at the government Thursday, telling reporters that councillors were well aware that Eberle stood to benefit from Wascana Village.
“It doesn’t matter if he makes $10 million or $50 million,” Probe said. “To me, it mattered that he recused himself.”
He also disputes the report’s findings that the former reeve used his power to sway others. “If you asked all councillors if they were influenced… each one, as far as I’ve understood, would come back with a resounding, ‘No.’ ”
Reiter has also ordered a by-election in October to fill the vacancy left by Eberle’s removal.
The 736-acre Wascana Village development could see as many as 14,000 people living in the community.
Eberle’s family declined an interview request Thursday, but told Global News the former reeve did nothing wrong and that he could take legal action of his own.
Full report from the Saskatchewan Government:
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