Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan may or may not face criminal charges for billing expenses to multiple levels of government – but it won’t be Waterloo Regional Police making the decision.
Police said Thursday that they have handed their investigation over to the OPP’s anti-racket branch “in the best interests of public confidence, transparency and impartiality.”
As mayor of Woolwich Township, Cowan has a seat on Waterloo Region council, which has authority over Waterloo Regional Police.
"With Mayor Todd Cowan being part of regional council, we didn't want any perceived conflicts," said Staff Sgt. Mike Haffner.
Cowan has admitted to billing nearly $2,800 worth of mileage and conference expenses to both the township and the region.
Following an investigation ordered by the township, he repaid the amount in question.
An additional $465.52 in mileage claims is being investigated as having possibly been billed to both the township and the Grand River Conservation Authority, on whose board Cowan sits.
Cowan faces three challengers for his seat in the Oct. 27 municipal election.
Reached by CTV News on Thursday, an OPP spokesperson said the organization was "not in a position to speak to this today."
Cowan himself was unavailable to comment.
