Antonella Artuso, Tracy McLaughlin, QMI Agency Feb 5, 2015
, Last Updated: 8:28 PM ET
TORONTO -- Ontario Liberals illegally tried to lure Sudbury, Ont. byelection candidate Andrew Olivier into dropping out of a nomination race with an offer of a job or appointment, an OPP document says.
The explosive allegation of criminal wrongdoing is contained in court documents filed by Det.-Const. Erin Thomas, of the OPP Anti-Rackets Squad, and obtained by QMI Agency Thursday -- the same day that Sudbury byelection voters headed to the polls.
In the information to obtain a production order, which has not been proven in court, Thomas said there are reasonable grounds to believe that a Criminal Code offence was committed -- "the solicitation, negotiation in any manner or recommendation with respect to an appointment to an office in expectation of a direct or indirect reward, advantage or benefit."
No charges have been laid.
Olivier has publicly released recordings of conversations he had with Sudbury Liberal organizer Gerry Lougheed Jr. and Liberal campaign director Pat Sorbara, the premier's deputy chief of staff, which he claims are proof that they offered him a job or appointment to step aside for preferred candidate Glenn Thibeault.
"Sorbara explained to Olivier the premier is desperate to win back the Sudbury seat in the legislature," says the document, which seeks full recordings of Olivier's conversations.
"I do believe that Gerry Lougheed and Patricia Sorbara both engaged in soliciting and negotiating with Andrew Olivier in their respective conversations," Thomas said. "I believe the words spoken by both Lougheed and Sorbara to Olivier assists me in my belief the Criminal Code offence has been committed."
Olivier also spoke to Premier Kathleen Wynne but that chat was apparently not recorded.
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Liberals behind alleged byelection bribe: OPP