There are new developments in the ongoing chaos engulfing Nanaimo’s city hall. Last week the city’s chief administrative officer was arrested after threats were allegedly made against several people, including Nanaimo’s mayor. Tracy Samra hasn’t commented since the incident but on Tuesday, her lawyer confirmed he’s been retained.
What happened running up to the alleged threats at Nanaimo city hall last week is still unclear and Tracy’s Samra’s lawyer says it wouldn’t be prudent to discuss the details.
Robert Mulligan confirms he has been retained to deal with the related RCMP investigation.
“I’m satisfied that there is a professional police investigation being conducted, and there will in due course be a professional assessment by counsel, acting for the crown, and that will be in due course communicated to me,” said Mulligan.
READ MORE: Nanaimo mayor says RCMP informed him he was threatened
Mulligan says he’s also being brought up to speed with the context of what was happening at city hall before the alleged threats.
But he says no doubt the work environment would’ve been a factor in seeking other employment.
“I do know that the Nanaimo city hall has been a notoriously difficult place for all involved for the last two years or so,” said Mulligan.
In September 2017, council read a letter of apology to Samra for a “deterioration of relationships” which happened before she went on medical leave. But apologies never came from some on council.
Nanaimo’s mayor says there still has been no change in her employment status. She still has the city’s top job and she hasn’t given notice.
Last week, the Sechelt First Nation announced they hired Samra as their chief administrative officer and she’s supposed to start sometime in February. Calls to the band for her start date have not been returned.
Kendall Hanson
