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A federal NDP defector won a byelection Thursday in Sudbury, Ont., for the provincial Liberals, but the party’s path to victory was marred by bribery allegations that are now under a criminal investigation.

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Glenn Thibeault beat out NDP candidate Suzanne Shawbonquit and independent Andrew Olivier, who triggered a scandal after he was dumped by the Liberals in favour of Thibeault.

Olivier was the Liberal candidate in the June general election and lost by fewer than 1,000 votes to New Democrat Joe Cimino, who resigned the seat five months later, triggering the byelection.

Olivier alleges the Liberals offered him a job or appointment in exchange for stepping aside. He finished third Thursday, running as an independent. Olivier, who is quadriplegic and records many conversations in lieu of taking notes, released audio of his talks with two Liberals, including Sorbara.

The opposition parties said the Liberals’ actions amounted to bribery and asked the Ontario Provincial Police and Elections Ontario to investigate.