The deputy reeve of the Rural Municipality of Sherwood is facing criminal charges.
According to a statement released by the rural municipality (RM) Wednesday, Coun. Tim Probe has been charged with breach of trust and municipal corruption.
“The RM of Sherwood will not be commenting on this matter because it is currently undergoing the court process,” Ron McCullough, Sherwood’s chief administrative officer said in a statement.
“The RM of Sherwood will co-operate with law enforcement in regards to any information related.”
The statement said the municipality was notified of the charges on Sept. 30 and wants to assure ratepayers that the incident will not affect Sherwood’s operations.
Regina police confirmed the charges against Probe, 57, who is from Lumsden, Sask.
The breach of trust by public officer charge comes from an incident on (or around) Feb. 2, in the Regina area, when Probe allegedly committed a breach of trust in connection with the duties of his office, according to police.
The municipal corruption charge came after an incident on (or around) the same date when Probe allegedly agreed to vote in favour of a measure that would give him a personal advantage or benefit.
The Saskatchewan government has asked Probe to step down as a result of these charges and a possible ombudsman investigation.
Donna Harpauer, the minister of government relations, said in a statement she believes “it is not in the public interest to have Mr. Probe continue as a councillor while he is facing criminal charges.”
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If Probe does not voluntarily step aside, the province does have the authority to remove him from council.
Harpauer said she will consider all available options if Probe does not immediately stop all powers and duties as councillor.
She also said Sherwood will continue to conduct business as usual.
This is not the first time the rural municipality has dealt with a political scandal.
READ MORE: RM of Sherwood reeve booted for conflict of interest
In February 2015, then-reeve Keven Eberle was removed from office after a Saskatchewan government inquiry found him guilty of conflict of interest and violations of public trust.
The investigation found 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.
READ MORE: RM of Sherwood wants better disclosure laws
Great Prairie Development announced the Wascana Villiage development in May 2013. The proposed development included plans for a 736-acre community that would be built just south of Regina and could accommodate an estimated 14,000 people.
READ MORE: Jeff Poissant elected as RM of Sherwood Reeve
After Eberle was removed from his position, Jeff Poissant was elected as the new reeve in October 2015.
With files from David Baxter.
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