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Opening comments: More at the end.
The Toronto Sun - Aug. 4 1982 - By (not listed) Conflict ruling to be appealed [ picture of Hazel McCallion & under it - HAZEL McCALLION - Guilty but not punished ] Mississauga citizen Jack Graham says he'll ask the divisional court to review a recent county court decision finding Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion guilty of conflict of interest. Graham said yesterday he wants a higher court to rule on County Court Judge Ernest West's ruling that although McCallion contravened the provincial Conflict of Interest Act in several ways last November, she would receive no punishment. West found McCallion broke the act in many ways but he added she did so due to a "bona fide error in judgment". Graham, who brought the case to court, said he is appealing because he doesn't necessarily agree the whole thing can be laid down to a simple error in judgment. He said there are "important moral issues" at stake so why not get a higher court to review the matter? Graham said a lot of people have asked him how someone can be found guilty of something but not be punished. McCallion was hit with court costs of about $10,000. But the judge did not require she be removed from office as the act provides, even though he decided she made a "substantial" error in judgment. Graham said he's instructed his lawyer, John Laskin, to appeal the decision before the 15-day appeal limit runs out on Friday. McCallion was not, available last night for comment. Under the act, a politician with a financial interest on an issue must disclose the potential conflict as soon as practical and refrain from discussing or voting on the matter. The conflict of interest involved five acres of land owned by the McCallion family on Britannia Rd.
[COMMENTS BY DON B. - ]
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