The report by former Vancouver Police deputy chief Doug LePard, who found Lenz lied multiple times in the investigation

A report has concluded former Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz lied during misspending investigation at the B.C. Legislature

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – Former Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz lied during misspending investigation at the B.C. Legislature, according to a report by former Vancouver Police deputy chief Doug LePard.

It says Lenz lied multiple times and engaged in “discreditable conduct” during an investigation by a former Justice into misspending allegations at the B.C. Legislature.

In the report, it is stated that Lenz made “untruthful oral statements and written submissions” to retired chief justice Beverley McLachlin.

LePard wrote Lenz repeatedly lied about an incident in 2013, where Lenz allegedly removed numerous cases of wine and liquor from the legislature in 2013.

“SAA Lenz’s untruthful oral statements and written submissions to Justice McLachlin regarding the 2013 liquor incident – including with respect to his conversations with Speaker Plecas and Mr. Mullen in 2018 – constitute an egregious breach of public trust.”

The latest in @BCLegislature saga that started with @BCLegSpeaker placing then Clerk and Sgt at Arms on leave nearly a year ago. Today a report from former police chief LePard finds Sgt at arms lied in prior Bev McLachlin investigation. It’s 112 pages – here are a few… #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/x5QkqVrEHD — LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 9, 2019

McLachlin conducted an external review on Lenz’s conduct, ultimately clearing him of wrong-doing in May. That’s a decision LePard doesn’t agree with.

“I have come to a different conclusion than Justice McLachlin regarding whether SAA Lenz’s actions or inactions in 2013 constituted misconduct,” he wrote. “In my investigation into the allegations that SAA Lenz failed to tell the truth to Justice McLachlin about the 2013 liquor removal incident, and regarding his 2018 conversations with Speaker Plecas concerning the 2013 liquor removal incident, however, the evidence caused me to conclude SAA Lenz was not truthful in his evidence to Justice McLachlin and repeated to me.”

Several witnesses were interviewed in the report, with LePard writing about the liquor incident in which the witness told Lenz the incident “is wrong”.

“Witness 7 had clear memories of being directed by SAA Lenz to assist in loading Mr. James’ truck “full” on April 22, 2013, with many boxes of unopened liquor, including wine and hard liquor,” LePard wrote. “He recalled a previous incident of this occurring. He said he told SAA Lenz it was “stupid and wrong” but SAA Lenz just smiled.”

Investigation report into the conduct of Gary Lenz

Lenz had been on paid leave since November 2018 after he was suspended following allegations of questionable purchases and inappropriate workplace vacations were brought forward by current speaker Darryl Plecas.

Last week Lenz retired from his position, saying he “carried out my duties for the people of British Columbia with the utmost integrity” but would not return to the role because “the damage that has been done to my reputation will never be fully repaired, and that if I continued as Sergeant at Arms, I would be doing a disservice to my office”.