Forensic audit into Transit scandal was never completed

The forensic audit into the Sudbury Transit ticket scandal that Mayor Brian Bigger vowed to fight to release to the public was never completed, Bigger revealed Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking at a news conference at Tom Davies Square, the mayor said the audit was started, but city staff failed to provide further information the auditors said they needed to complete their work.

"I'm unsure at this time why this was not accurately disclosed to the public," Bigger said.

"Last fall, I was under the understanding that, on direction of previous council in 2011, a completed forensic audit report had been undertaken on the city's behalf, and received by the city in October of that same year.

"Based on that information, I pledged to make the completed forensic audit report public, should I become mayor."

Forensic auditors did start an initial investigation, but told city staff in August 2011 that they needed more information.

In an October 2011 story on Northernlife.ca, former Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner refers to the forensic audit, saying he was told it was completed.

“What we needed was a forensic audit, which would explain the timelines, who was involved, and the paper flow,” as well as other information needed to conduct a proper investigation, Elsner said at the time.

“In August, I asked for that to happen. In the past week or so, I was notified that audit had been completed.”

However, Bigger said Wednesday that wasn't the case, and that he hasn't been able to find out why staff failed to provide information to the forensic auditors.

"I can't answer those questions,” he said. “I'm unsure why the further information wasn't provided to the forensic auditors. But it's a fact at this point."

Bigger was also unable to comment on whether any staff were disciplined for not providing the information to the auditors, saying such issues are subject to privacy rules.

"I really can't speak to any HR matters. But I have full confidence in our interim CAO to address the situation appropriately."

In light of the scandal, the mayor said they are working on a code of conduct for city staff based on the principles of openness and transparency that were his election campaign themes.

"We're taking clear action as it relates to a code of conduct as it relates to all levels of city staff, and a new communications policy that is clear and transparent to the public," he said.