Erin mayor cleared of wrongdoing by town’s integrity commissioner
Complainants claimed Michael Dehn had conflict of interest in Hillsburgh gravel pit decision
ERIN – Erin Mayor Michael Dehn was not required to declare a pecuniary interest when council considered the rehabilitation of the Hillsburgh gravel pit, according to an investigation by the town’s integrity commissioner.
John Mascarin recently cleared Dehn of allegations made in two complaints filed in July.
The complainants claimed Dehn should have declared a conflict because of his previous dealings with the company behind the project.
Dehn has acknowledged that he had helped handle paperwork in 2018 for his parents, who owned a gravel pit that was being rehabilitated by the same company.
Mascarin’s investigation found there was no evidence Dehn or his family had a financial interest in the company or that council’s decisions could affect him financially.
The report noted that under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, a councillor is required to declare a pecuniary interest when the interest exists at the time council considers the matter.
Dehn says any business dealings with the company ended in 2018 and the rehabilitation work did not constitute a personal benefit or gift connected to his municipal duties.
