Allegations have surfaced that invoices were altered and a payment was made to a member of city council involving the new downtown police headquarters.
The project went nearly $75 million over budget. The file was forwarded to Manitoba Justice in July at the request of city council. The department then passed it on to the RCMP in August, along with two other real estate audits.
A media report said a letter was sent to Manitoba Justice in July, alleging invoices were inflated and that an unknown member of city council took some form of payment.
In August, the Justice Department said it not only passed on the audits but also “additional material.”
RCMP have not launched an investigation but said it continues to review the matter.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis confirms an allegation was made to the police service in November 2013. He would not specify, but said the service dealt with it on its own.
Clunis did say he is unaware of any allegation involving a member of city council.
“I don't have any information of that type of allegation in that regard whatsoever. If such an allegation was made, absolutely, we would act on it,” he said.
Mayor Brian Bowman said he’s requested a briefing from the province. Bowman calls the allegations appalling and says, if proven to be true, that it might be time for heads to roll.
Construction of the new police station occurred under previous city councils. Several new members, including Bowman, were elected in October.
