Nipissing MPP and Finance Minister Vic Fedeli is denying accusations of sexual misconduct at Queen's Park, and is threatening lawsuits.
The allegations come from former PC leader Patrick Brown in a new tell-all book called "Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown."
Brown resigned earlier this year after charges of sexual misconduct were levelled against him involving women in his home constituency of Barrie. Brown is now mayor of Brampton.
In Brown's book is an accusation that Fedeli was once the subject of sexual misconduct. He claims that in December of 2017 he was given a handwritten letter from a female member of the party's staff which alleged inappropriate behaviour by Fedeli. Brown has not produced the letter nor named the staffer.
He claims in the book that he told Fedeli the matter would be looked into, then when Fedeli became interim leader after Brown's abrupt resignation, the woman was let go from her duties but remained on the payroll.
Brown writes in the book that "I was surprised at Fedeli's cavalier, holier-than-thou attitude, given that he knew full well that he may have dodged a bullet," he said in reference to Fedeli's criticism of Brown's misconduct.
However, Fedeli has dismissed Brown's claims as untrue.
"These accusations from Patrick Brown are categorically false and without any merit. Facts relating to Mr. Brown's lack of credibility are well documented and on the public record, as are his motivations in using his book to pursue old grievances," Fedeli said.
Fedeli has hired a lawyer and is "prepared to take whatever action is necessary to hold any person making these false allegations accountable."
On Twitter Premier Doug Ford defended Fedeli saying, "Minister @VictorFedeli is one of the most honourable, ethical, and decent individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing and working with. I stand behind him completely from this disgusting smear campaign. He has my full support."
However, the Ontario NDP has called for Fedeli's removal.
Deputy Leader Sara Singh released the following statement regarding allegations against Fedeli:
“If a woman has made sexual misconduct allegations against Vic Fedeli, I assume that Doug Ford will be immediately ordering a fully independent investigation, and be removing Mr. Fedeli from cabinet while that investigation takes place. If there is any truth to allegations that the Conservative government is protecting Mr. Fedeli by buying the silence of his victim, Ford needs to come clean with the people of Ontario. Obviously, protecting a powerful man who has committed any sort of misconduct is wrong.”
See related story: Brown's book alleges Brian Mulroney bargained over daughter's political future
