In an unprecedented move that has sent ripples through North Bay’s municipal government, the city’s Chief Financial Officer has formally requested the revocation of Mayor Peter Chirico’s corporate credit card following allegations of improper use and questionable expenditures.
Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal a pattern of concerning transactions that prompted the city’s top financial official to take this extraordinary step. The controversy centers around multiple instances where the mayor allegedly used the municipal credit card for personal expenses, a direct violation of the city’s financial policies.
“The integrity of public finances must be protected with the utmost diligence,” said Margaret Karpenko, North Bay’s Chief Financial Officer, in a confidential memo to council members. “When established protocols are repeatedly disregarded, we have a responsibility to implement appropriate safeguards.”
The documents indicate that Mayor Chirico had been asked on several occasions to provide missing receipts for transactions dating back to early 2023. Despite multiple reminders from the finance department, several expenditures remained inadequately documented, raising red flags within city hall.
City policy explicitly states that corporate cards are strictly for municipal business expenses and must be supported by proper documentation. The CFO’s recommendation comes after what sources describe as “repeated attempts” to resolve the matter internally without resorting to more severe measures.
When reached for comment, Mayor Chirico defended his financial conduct, stating that any personal charges made in error had been promptly reimbursed. “There has never been any intention to misuse public funds,” the mayor insisted. “Administrative oversights have been corrected as soon as they were identified.”
However, council members appear divided on the issue. Councillor Mark King expressed concern about the situation, noting that “financial accountability is fundamental to maintaining public trust in our governance.” Meanwhile, Councillor Mac Bain suggested that improved training and clearer guidelines might address the underlying issues.
The controversy emerges at a particularly challenging time for North Bay, as the municipality grapples with budget constraints and infrastructure needs. Financial transparency has become increasingly important to residents concerned about the allocation of limited resources during economic uncertainty.
Municipal governance experts suggest that this situation highlights the sometimes blurry lines between personal and professional expenses for elected officials. Dr. Lydia Morrison, professor of municipal governance at Nipissing University, explains that “even unintentional misuse of municipal credit cards can seriously undermine public confidence in local government.”
As city council prepares to address this matter in an upcoming closed session, residents are left wondering: In an era of increasing demands for government transparency, how can municipalities best ensure that financial oversight mechanisms protect taxpayer dollars while allowing elected officials to effectively perform their duties?
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