North Stormont councillor facing possible sanctions for alleged drunk speech, physical fights with residents
CTV
Sanctions are being recommended for a councillor of an eastern Ontario township after he allegedly gave a speech at a community event while allegedly intoxicated and engaged in two separate physical fights with residents on the same day last year.
Sanctions are being recommended for a councillor of an eastern Ontario township after he allegedly gave a speech at a community event while intoxicated and engaged in two separate physical fights with residents on the same day last year.
Integrity commissioner Tony Fleming with Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP was called to investigate Code of Conduct complaints against Adrian Bugelli, a councillor for the Township of North Stormont, for his alleged behaviour during the grand opening of the Moose Creek Recreational Hall on Sept. 30, 2023.
The complaints alleged Bugelli attended the event in his official capacity as councillor and made a speech about the new hall. Bugelli was said to be "extremely intoxicated" as the event progressed and was observed to be "consuming alcohol throughout the day," according to witnesses interviewed in the integrity commissioner's investigation.
One complaint said he was observed slurring his speech and that a bartender refused to serve him more alcohol.
Bugelli told the integrity commissioner he didn't remember how much he had to drink, but estimated he had about "3 or 4 beer."
"Based on the evidence received, it is our finding that it is more likely than not that the Member was intoxicated at the Event," the integrity commissioner found.
The report says Bugelli was later involved in two separate physical fights with residents, though Code of Conduct violations were only found in one incident. In another fight, the report said he was defending himself from being attacked by several residents and was not found to have violated council bylaws.
