An Edmonton lawyer accused by his former employer, the Alberta Human Rights Commission, of claiming inappropriate expenses and misusing commission resources says the allegations are reckless "fabrications" and are an unfair attack on his reputation and that of the commission's former senior legal counsel.

The allegations against Arman Chak are contained in the commission's statement of defence to a lawsuit filed by Chak's former supervisor, Audrey Dean, the commission's former senior legal counsel.

In her lawsuit, Dean claims she was harassed and undermined by the commission and its director, Don Smallwood, until she eventually chose not to return to work in the fall of 2015. She had worked for the Alberta government for 35 years.

Alberta Justice, acting for the commission, hit back with an aggressive statement of defence that made several serious allegations against both Dean and Chak. (The statement of defence only refers to "AC," but Chak has confirmed to CBC News it refers to him.)

The statement of defence claims Dean approved "numerous ineligible, inaccurate, or inappropriate expense claims" for Chak and that she failed to ensure he accurately recorded his vacation and sick leaves, resulting in overpayments. It also alleges Dean did not prevent Chak's unauthorized use of work time and resources "for activities and purchases outside the course of his employment.

In an interview with CBC News, Chak denied every allegation, calling them "fabrications."

"They seem to want to paint a picture against Miss Dean which is incorrect, against myself which is incorrect," he said. Dean, in an email, declined comment.

The human rights commission falls under the jurisdiction of Alberta Justice. Both the ministry and minister Kathleen Ganley declined comment because the matters are before the court.

Fired without cause

Chak was fired without cause in November 2014 and is suing the commission for wrongful dismissal. He said it is troubling that Alberta Justice would make these allegations against him while it defends another legal action.

But he said he is especially troubled by the way the government has treated Dean, who he said has the "highest level of ethics and professional responsibility."

"Audrey Dean has been the most important human rights advocate for the last 30 years in Alberta," he said. "To attempt to discredit her with untruthful statements is simply a very troubling step to take by the government."

Chak said the ministry vetted all his expense claims and never once in 12 years of employment was an issue raised.

"I just don't understand why they chose to do it this way, other than the fact that they desperately tried to find cause (for his firing) and they couldn't," he said.

"So they created cause that is never going to pass any sort of evidentiary standard."

Chak said the NDP government has promised transparency and accountability and "should be held accountable for everything they say, even if it is in a court document," Chak said.

Lawsuit questions pro bono legal work

The statement of defence in the Dean case also alleges Chak breached government policy for pro bono (free) legal work and that he failed to seek written permission from a Justice deputy minister before running to become a bencher with the Law Society of Alberta. A bencher is a lawyer elected by law-society members to sit on disciplinary and other panels for the self-regulating society.

Chak called those allegations ludicrous, pointing out that the commission publicly recognized awards he received for his pro bono legal work from the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Canadian Bar Association. The announcements for both awards are still posted on the commission's website.

As for seeking written approval before running for bencher, Chak said he unsuccessfully ran twice and it was never raised as an issue by the ministry. He was finally elected on his third try.

In any case, Chak said he didn't need the approval of the deputy minister because the human rights commission is independent from Alberta Justice.

None of the statements contained in any of the statements of claim or defence has been proven in court.

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