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Ottawa City Councillor Rick Chiarelli allegedly had an employee cruise Gatineau strip clubs in search of dirt on a fellow councillor in a belief he was conspiring against him, according to a wave of fresh allegations levelled by former staffers who say they were aware of the schemes.

The cloak-and-dagger incidents, which staffers allege occurred in the 2012-13 period, included visits to several Gatineau strip clubs and numerous other bars and targeted information about a particular councillor and, over time, other individuals and companies, the former employees allege.

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Staffers claim the spy games were fruitless exercises and were typical of the sometimes weird and uncomfortable expectations Chiarelli placed on some staff in an office that is alleged to be deeply immersed in paranoia and conspiracy theories.

It’s perhaps telling that Chiarelli allegedly urged young employees to watch the hit Netflix program House of Cards. Two staffers said it was recommended by Chiarelli as an introductory lesson into to the dark art of politics in which they were now becoming immersed. The TV series offers viewers a disturbing portrayal of dirty politics and betrayal and seems an interesting political primer to recommend to office staff.