Skakun Trial Hears from Investigator

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- The trial of  Prince George City Councillor Brian Skakun resumes this morning having heard from the  RCMP Inspector  who investigated the breach of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Inspector Raymond Noble says he was  called by  North District  Chief Superintendent Barry Clark  to  head up the investigation, and  his first meeting was with  City  Manager Derek Bates.   He said  he thought Bates was being “coy” about  the investigation “I had the feeling he knew more than what he was telling me” testified Noble.  The Inspector says  he soon  realized  Bates didn’t want to plant  any information, he wanted Noble to  reach his own conclusions about  how  the confidential Heller report had  found its way on to the CBC website. 

Noble  told the court  the document which was leaked was labelled  “Attachment #4”  a designation  given to  that document for a specific  closed meeting of Council.  He says he asked the City Manager  who had access to that meeting agenda and  the  various attachments.  It was then that a list of  names was  developed of people who  had access to that particular version of the report.   

Noble told the court he started with interviews with those who attended the meeting, and Councillor Brian Skakun became the prime suspect following his interview with Councillor Deborah Munoz.  He testified she informed  him that Skakun had confessed to her  that  he was the one who  had  leaked the document.  She had also  told  Mayor Colin Kinsley,  City Manager Derek Bates and fellow Councillor Murry Krause  about  Skakun’s alleged confession. 

Inspector Noble  says   he interviewed  the Mayor,  members of Council who attended the meeting,  the  city clerk,  some department managers and others, and all  seemed to feel  very uncomfortable talking about a document they  believed was  confidential.  He said  most told him they  didn’t feel  comfortable with a police investigation because they were worried it would embarrass the City and open  old wounds. 

Inspector Noble says he requested an interview with Brian Skakun, but  that interview never happened. 

The Heller  report  examined the relationship between the  head of the local RCMP detachment and the manager of the civilians who worked at that detachment.  The report is alleged to have concluded the romantic relationship put the  two in a conflict of interest.  Councillor Skakun is accused of leaking the report to a CBC reporter.  A copy of  “Attachment #4 “ was posted  for a short time on the CBC website.  

The Crown is  expected to call  another 17 witnesses, including Councillor Debora Munoz.  The trial will  carry on through the balance of this week,  and resume December 7^th.

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