Mayor Neil Driscoll says township council remains confident in CAO Manny Baron, despite a breach of trust charge filed against the CAO by the OPP.
The charge relates to Baron’s leasing of property he owned to the Town of Petrolia – and a resulting conflict of interest – while he was CAO of the town.
Baron, 43, was charged on March 26 with breach of trust by a public officer, following what Lambton OPP officials called a “lengthy” police investigation.
In a March 27 telephone interview, Driscoll told the Wellington Advertiser the charge would not impact Baron’s employment status with the township.
“I don’t see there being any problem. In fact, council is more than proud of the accomplishments in the past three months that Manny has done for Mapleton Township,” said Driscoll.
“He is continuing as our CAO and he will be until someone says different.”
Baron declined to comment on Tuesday morning, beyond indicating he has engaged a lawyer.
According to published reports, Baron was placed on administrative leave by Petrolia in October after a local Newspaper, The Independent, reported he was charging the town rent, and utilities in lieu of rent, on facilities he owns through a numbered company.
Baron did not disclose to the town his ownership of the properties.
The town appointed investigator John Fleming to look into the deal for the properties, which were used by the town for a youth/seniors centre and storage area.
Baron resigned on Nov. 14 after Fleming’s report was presented to Petrolia council.
Despite his controversial exit, Baron was hired as CAO of Mapleton Township in January.
At the time, Driscoll told the Advertiser the township had investigated the allegations against Baron and spoke to Petrolia Mayor John McCharles.
“We got that side of the story, we believed what Manny told us … and we’re quite confident he’ll do a great job in Mapleton,” Driscoll said.
Upon his hiring, Baron conceded his ownership of the Petrolia properties constituted a conflict, but he said he was trying to contribute to the community, not profit from the transaction.
“There’s no doubt … I was in direct conflict of interest in the sense that council was unaware that I owned the … buildings,” said Baron in January.
“However, I can assure you that the town was not out money. They didn’t pay me rent on a monthly basis. They paid their portion of the utilities.”
On Tuesday Driscoll confirmed council “was fully aware of the potential situation” prior to the charges being announced. But he added council members were not aware of the police investigation prior to hiring Baron.
Driscoll said “council has confirmed their confidence in our CAO,” yet he indicated council had not yet met to discuss the situation and no special meetings were planned, beyond a regular council meeting that afternoon.
“I don’t believe we honestly need any special meeting,” he said. “This isn’t our issue and, like I’ve said several times, we’re more than confident in the services CAO Manny is providing for us.”
A statement issued on March 26 by the Town of Petrolia indicated the municipality has “fully cooperated with the OPP” during the investigation.
“Council and town staff will not be commenting, as this item is before the courts and we could contaminate the process,” the statement reads.
“Given that Mr. Baron is no longer an employee of the Town of Petrolia we request that any comments or questions be directed to the OPP.”
Baron is to appear in Sarnia court on April 16.
