City councillor Debora Munoz will not take part in a censure hearing against council colleague Brian Skakun, according to court documents obtained by the Citizen.
In a letter to city manager of legislative services Walter Babicz, which was included in Babicz's affidavit to the B.C. Supreme Court, Munoz said she did not want to create a legal burden for the city.
"I believe that I would be capable of being impartial in any consideration of the potential censure of Coun. Skakun and that any right-thinking member of the public would accept that I would be impartial," Munoz wrote. "Nevertheless, I recognize that my continued involvement with the censure issue may create an additional burden for the city in responding to the petition filled by Coun. Skakun. I have therefore decided that I will not participate further in any council proceedings with respect to the possible censure of Coun. Skakun and I will not discuss the matter with my council colleagues or seek to influence their consideration of the possible censure resolution."
City council planned a hearing to discuss an official censure and sanctions against Skakun following his May 24 conviction under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Skakun was found guilty of releasing a confidential city human resources report to the CBC in August, 2008.
Munoz was the Crown's key witness in the case against Skakun, and the two had previously been romantically involved.
On Aug. 10, Skakun filed a petition with the B.C. Supreme Court seeking an injunction to prevent council with proceeding with the hearing until the court rules on the appeal of his conviction.
"Coun. Skakun also claims in his affidavit that I gave fabricated evidence at this trial in order to damage his reputation. These allegations are simply untrue," Munoz wrote. "I do not bear any ill will towards Coun. Skakun and never have. I testified truthfully and to the best of my ability."
The censure hearing was scheduled to take place before Sept. 14, but on Wednesday council voted to delay the hearing to allow the court to rule on Skakun's petition.
On Thursday the city filed its response to Skakun's petition with the B.C. Supreme Court.
In its response, the city argues that it does have the legislated authority to censure Skakun.
Munoz and Skakun were not available for comment as of press time.
For full coverage, see Saturday's edition of the Citizen.
