RCMP investigating alleged city hall bribe attempt

Updated Sept. 14

RCMP confirmed Sept. 11 they’re investigating allegations that someone offered an Iqaluit city councillor a bribe.

In a four-line news release the RCMP said the alleged bribe attempt was made in connection to a July meeting on whether to approve a development permit for a new medical boarding home.

Police said Coun. Jim Little approached them July 31 with the allegations.

Last week, council voted to bar Little from future in-camera meetings, saying he violated confidentiality rules by reporting the alleged bribe attempt to police.

In an interview, Little said the councillor who was allegedly offered the bribe came forward during the July meeting and was visibly disturbed by the incident.

“It was a councillor I now hold in great esteem for bringing that [allegation] forward,” Little said.

Little wouldn’t say which councillor it was or who allegedly offered the bribe but he said no money ever changed hands.

Little said it was wrong of council to censure him and said city hall should have gone public with the allegations immediately.

“It’s unfortunate that the whole council didn’t stand on their chairs and scream it out loud: ‘We’re not putting up with this. Don’t try to bribe us,’” Little said.

Neither the RCMP nor Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik had much to say about the matter Sept. 11.

Sheutiapik didn’t want to say much about the allegations because they originally came up during an in-camera meeting. But she said by bringing the case to the attention of the police right away, Little derailed city hall’s chance to investigate the matter on its own.

“He jumped the gun,” she said.

“There’s reasons why things are discussed in camera,” Sheutiapik said, adding that talking about the allegations at a public council meeting could put the city at risk of a libel suit.

According to the cities, towns and villages act, councils may hold closed-door meeting when they feel it’s in the public interest and two-thirds of present councillors approve.

Sgt. Jimmy Akavak said police have been investigating the allegations since Little’s complaint in July. He wouldn’t say who is under investigation or whether the alleged bribe attempt involved offers of cash or future favours.

No charges have yet been filed, but Akavak said he expected word earlier this week on whether that will happen. He added city hall is cooperating with the investigation.

“Basically it’s under investigation,” Akavak said. “We take these kind of complaints seriously and it’s being handled as we speak.”

At a briefing for reporters this past Monday, Akavak said it was still too early to say if police will lay charges.

“It takes a lot of people to be spoken to,” he said.

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