Article content continued

“It puts him in a difficult situation. It would cause some embarrassment if he won. He would start his mayoralty under a cloud. It would not be a good start,” said Andrew Sancton, a retired Western University political scientist and specialist in local government.

“The tricky thing is, when will he be paid back? What if he is not paid back? It would cast a shadow,” said Sancton.

Cheng’s spending opens the door to a complaint if he wins, and possible legal action, and he could even be removed from office, ministry spokesperson Lee Alderson wrote by email Thursday.

But Cheng, who’s worked as a self-employed energy consultant and was runner-up in the last mayoral election, is adamant he’s in the clear.

“I can make a loan; it can be repaid,” he said of the $10,000 he admits he’s overspent.

“I can advance the money and then after the closing period, the public can contribute. There will be money coming in. I have lent to my own campaign.”

He insists he’s studied the elections law, as has his “bookkeeper,” and is on safe ground.

Not so fast, Saunders cautions.

“The Act is not clear on that aspect of it. I can tell you both the provincial guide and candidate information speaks to that only in very general terms.”

“There are penalties. He could be in violation,” she said

A complaint would go to a local, three-member election audit committee that would decide whether further action is needed.

If a candidate is found in violation, punishment could range from a $25,000 fine to being removed from office to six months in jail, according to the ministry.