Stouffville takes Mayor Justin Altmann to court for alleged leaked documents

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville alleges personal, confidential information was photocopied, distributed to 8 to 10 people

Yorkregion.com
June 27, 2018
Simon Martin

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is taking Mayor Justin Altmann to court.

According to a press release, the town recently discovered a confidentiality breach that requires legal action.

In the first week of June, it was reported to town chief administrative officer Roman Martiuk that Mayor Justin Altmann distributed confidential information and personnel records to members of the public.

According to the town, the release of information relates to matters previously investigated by the town’s integrity commissioner involving a code of conduct complaint against the mayor.

“There is no evidence any taxpayer or citizen information was disclosed,” Martiuk said.

According to the release, Altmann has not admitted any wrongdoing or provided assistance with facilitating the voluntary return of the confidential material. The town is therefore commencing a legal action to compel Altmann to recover and return the material and provide the town with information that will assist with its recovery efforts.

While the town does not know the extent of the alleged breach as of yet, it believes:

• the personal and confidential information was photocopied and included in binders that were provided to approximately eight to 10individuals last summer;

• the information includes the personal information of 24 current and former employees, including information about overtime claims, salary information and information about employment history; and

• 14 descriptions of closed session council matters and closed session documents contrary to the town’s by-laws.

'Gianluca was ripped from me': Nick Bagerzadeh...
The town will notify affected individuals shortly and encourages the full co-operation of anyone who received the confidential material. If you have any information regarding the binders or confidential material, please contact Roman Martiuk at 905-640-1900.

A report to council is anticipated in the coming months.

The news comes on the heels of news last week that Altmann is asking the court to lift sanctions imposed on him by council and recommended by the integrity commissioner because they are not within council purview and violate the Charter of Rights and Freedom. A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

In March, council approved several sanctions against the mayor, including:

• loss of 120 days pay;

• removing Altmann as a member of one committee and chair of another;

• limiting communication with municipal staff by email to an email address to be provided;

• asking the mayor to immediately return his key and access card to the municipal offices; and

• barring Altmann from access to the municipal offices and facilities except to attend at the front desk to pick up council packages or make bill payments and to attend council chambers for council meetings. The sanctions were in response to recommendations from integrity commissioner Suzanne Craig regarding two code of conduct complaints: one in relation to Altmann's refusal to apologize for multiple violations of the town's code of conduct, including harassment in relation to the now infamous mind map on his bathroom wall, and the second in relation to the mayor's disclosure of confidential information during a radio interview