June 4 leader

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Your news this week: Ride For Dad - pg. 5 Lamont High Reunion - Pgs. 6 & 7 Dessert Theatre - Pg. 11

Read us online at www.lamontleader.com twitter.com/lamontleader

Vol. No. 27 Tuesday, June 2013 Vol. 7, No. 2, 8,Tuesday, November 8, 4, 2011

MICHELLE PINON PHOTO

The Village of Chipman’s main street was converted into a showroom for vintage car enthusiasts during the Chipman Car Crafters 13th annuall Show ‘N Shine Sunday. Car collectors from throughout the region turned up in droves to showcase their beautifully restored cars and trucks. A total of 360 people attend the event which netted 108 entries. four small boxes of food donations and $55 in cash donations were collected for the local food bank. Winner of the 50/50 draw was Joanne Paltzat, who took home $350. For more photos go to page 15.

Former Lamont CAO Tom Miller charged Michelle Pinon Editor

A week ago Tom Miller was arrested by RCMP officers in Fort Saskatchewan and charged with forgery and counselling an offence to commit fraud. “On May 28, 2013, RCMP officers in Fort Saskatchewan arrested Thomas Miller, former chief administrative officer for the Town of Lamont as a result of an ongoing investigation. He was arrested outside a local business in Fort Saskatchewan by Fort Saskatchewan RCMP members.” In the statement released by “K” Division, it said Thomas Miller has been charged with:

*Forgery section 3661(1)CC * Utter a forged document - section 368CC *Counselling an offense to forge document - not committed - section 464CC. *Counselling an offence to commit fraud - not committed - section 464CC “Following a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing, Thomas Miller was released to appear in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court on June 6, 2013.” The only comment Mayor Bill Skinner would make following Tuesday’s town council meeting was that the town was made aware of Miller’s arrest by RCMP. Later in the week, Skinner issued this

response: “We are aware of the recent arrest of Mr. Miller. If charges against Mr. Miller are proven in a court of law, our legal representation would be the ones to advise us on how this may affect the other ongoing legal issues.” The RCMP press release also stated: “The incident was first reported in 2008. The file later on re-opened, upon further evidence which led to the arrest and charges against Miller.” The “incident” was first reported by Quebec based developer Gilles Filatreault, who alleged Miller attempted to negotiate kickbacks on a housing deal. Filatreault, in pursuit of the truth and further evidence, had journalists

secretly record and videotape a conversation between Miller and himself in the fall of 2012. After Filatreault’s under cover operation in co-ordination with a Star report and a RadioCanada producer who were sitting at a nearby table in a restaurant recording the conversation, Miller was confronted in a parking lot shortly after the meeting. Miller refused to answer questions about the recorded conversations. Shortly after that incident, Filatreault presented the evidence to Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, who in turn, turned over the evidence to “K” Division for further investigation. On June 29, 2010 a Statement of Claim was

filed by Jabneel Development Inc. and Construction Jabneel Inc. against the Town of Lamont and Tom Miller. Damages and/or judgement in the amount of $28,523,550; punitive damages in the amount of $500,000; an order directing the plaintiffs’ construction bond in the principal amount of $406,500 be returned forthwith. On Sept. 3, 2010, the Town of Lamont and Tom Miller filed a Statement of Claim denying each and every allegation, saying Miller “acted diligently and in good faith and conducted himself appropriately” through the discharge of his duties. Miller was dismissed of his duties by members

of town council in December of 2011. While elected officials refused to disclose the amount of money to pay out the rest of Miller’s contract, an auditors report stated a final payment to Miller was made in the amount of $341,782. The report, dated March 19, 2012, also stated the payment was over and above Miller’s regular salary of $96,904 and benefits and allowances of $18,112 to equal $115,016. Jabneel’s lawsuit and the town’s countersuit have yet to be heard in a court of law.


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