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Tim Tierney is lucky he has a job today.

No trial, no real explanation — no charge on the books, even — and a “penalty,” if that’s even the right word, he “volunteered” to pay.

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He, of course, takes “full responsibility” for the embarassing episode and wants to move forward. But don’t they always? (Trudeau on Lavalin-Raybould mess, etc., etc….as though “partial” responsibility and time travel were options.)

What does that even mean? Wouldn’t we all take “full responsibility” for our misconduct if, in exchange, we avoided conviction and saved our careers?

That isn’t a badge of courage, that’s the result of negotiation.

Tierney, the city councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville, apologized in court Wednesday for the way he handled news of a last-minute candidate in his ward in the 2018 election.

The charge, in plain language, is that he offered what amounts to a bribe for the candidate to drop out and let him be acclaimed. “Corrupt practice” the Ontario Municipal Elections Act calls it.