Mayor to offer update on efforts to release forensic audit of Transit scandal

It was revealed that a contractor for the city continued to be paid, even though he wasn't remitting bus ticket money he collected on the city's behalf. The debt grew as high as $1 million, and there is still about $500,000 missing.

Sudbury police asked the OPP to look into the matter in 2011, but they concluded criminal charges couldn't be pursued because the city had effectively extended the contractor credit.

The audit also discovered that between 2004 and 2009, 70 per cent of the kiosk management fees were paid personally to the director of the company, Tony Sharma, who was paid $533,506.

Where there was space to indicate the name of the person to whom the cheque should be made payable, the name Zio's Cafe (owned and operated by Sharma) was crossed out and in handwriting it was indicated the cheque should be made payable to Sharma personally.

The contract was terminated Sept. 4, 2009, with the company still owing the city $866,537.

During the municipal election campaign in October, Bigger promised to fight to have a forensic audit into the scandal released to the public.

“It should be made available to the public,” Bigger said in September. “They can release the report and redact individual names if they feel that's important.

“I was told that none of council – including the mayor (and) staff – saw that forensic audit report. So essentially, it was buried. And I believe it needs to be released to the public so we can truly understand who is responsible.”

A release from the mayor's office Monday afternoon said he will provide an update Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Tom Davies Square.