TORONTO

Ontario Liberals illegally tried to lure Sudbury byelection candidate Andrew Olivier into dropping out of a nomination race with an offer of a job or appointment, an OPP document says.

The explosive allegation of criminal wrongdoing is contained in court documents filed by Det.-Const. Erin Thomas, of the OPP Anti-Rackets Squad, and obtained by the Toronto Sun Thursday — the same day that Sudbury byelection voters headed to the polls.

In the information to obtain a production order, which has not been proven in court, Thomas said there are reasonable grounds to believe that a Criminal Code offence was committed — “the solicitation, negotiation in any manner or recommendation with respect to an appointment to an office in expectation of a direct or indirect reward, advantage or benefit.”

No charges have been laid.

Olivier has publicly released recordings of conversations he had with Sudbury Liberal organizer Gerry Lougheed Jr. and Liberal campaign director Pat Sorbara, the premier’s deputy chief of staff, which he claims are proof that they offered him a job or appointment to step aside for preferred candidate Glenn Thibeault.

“Sorbara explained to Olivier the premier is desperate to win back the Sudbury seat in the legislature,” says the document, which seeks full recordings of Olivier’s conversations.

“I do believe that Gerry Lougheed and Patricia Sorbara both engaged in soliciting and negotiating with Andrew Olivier in their respective conversations,” Thomas said. “I believe the words spoken by both Lougheed and Sorbara to Olivier assists me in my belief the Criminal Code offence has been committed.”

Olivier also spoke to Premier Kathleen Wynne but that chat was apparently not recorded.

OPP investigators were told by Olivier that the premier made it clear that while she had nothing against him personally, she wanted Thibeault to gain the Liberal nomination.

The court documents add another incredible twist to an already confusing byelection saga that began when NDP MPP Joe Cimino quit suddenly last year after less than six months in office.

Having run for the Liberals in last June’s general election, Olivier prepared to seek the nomination again only to be pushed aside for Thibeault, who was the sitting NDP MP at the time.

Olivier believed that Lougheed and Sorbara were speaking on behalf of Wynne, although the premier later said Lougheed did not speak for her.

The OPP investigator notes that Sorbara and Lougheed mentioned Wynne in their conversations, and that she might have the authority to secure a position for Olivier.

“I believe this reference to the premier’s authority threatens the appearance of the government’s integrity,” the production order says.

Olivier told OPP investigators that Wynne did not directly offer him an appointment.

Wynne has said that no one offered Olivier a position to step aside, but rather they were trying to keep him engaged in the Ontario Liberal Party.

Zita Astravas, a spokesman for Wynne, said in a statement that the premier has already commented on the issue publicly and will co-operate fully with any investigation.

“It is common for an investigator to make an assertion in an ITO in order to obtain a warrant. It is in no way confirmation that an offence has occurred,” Astravas said.

Lougheed could not be reached for comment Thursday.

PC MPP Steve Clark, who formally complained to the OPP about a possible violation of the Criminal Code in the Sudbury situation, said Wynne needs to fully explain her actions.

“I think the premier was very premature in sending out her press release that said the tapes exonerated her staff,” he said. “It was insulting to the investigation.”

Olivier, who opted to run as an independent candidate, said the allegations have been a “distraction,” but he was glad to see the police had pursued them.

“It shows that the organizations are doing their due diligence, are doing what is the right thing to do,” Olivier said. “It is something that directly affects the people in Sudbury and how they’re following the byelection.”

NDP MPP Gilles Bisson said the allegations in the ITO show that the Liberals will do anything to save their own political skins .

“This now calls into question the integrity of the entire Liberal government,” Bisson said.

— With files from Christina Blizzard and Carol Mulligan

antonella.artuso@sunmedia.ca