The Township of North Stormont voted Tuesday to dock a month’s pay from Coun. Adrian Bugelli after an investigation found he attended a public event while intoxicated and got into physical altercations with residents there.
Integrity Commissioner Tony Fleming recommended the 30-day pay suspension after finding Bugelli had twice breached the township’s code of conduct during the grand opening of the Moose Creek Recreational Hall on Sept. 30, 2023.
His investigation was triggered by several complaints received in October.
This was a mistake on my part, but was an isolated event, and I will make sure this is not repeated in the future.– Coun. Adrian Bugelli
According to Fleming, Bugelli breached a section of the township’s code of conduct which states “no member of council shall be impaired while performing any duty or carrying out any responsibilities for the township.”
Witnesses told Fleming they’d seen Bugelli consuming alcohol throughout the day, and that he was visibly intoxicated and slurring his speech to the point that the bartender at the event eventually refused to serve him.
Bugelli told Fleming he couldn’t remember how many drinks he’d had, but estimated he’d consumed three or four beers.
According to Fleming’s report, Bugelli initially denied attending the event as a member of council, stating in his interview that he was there as an ordinary member of the Moose Creek community.
Fleming noted in his report however that the venue is a municipal asset and Bugelli “made a small speech as a Member of Council regarding the grand opening.”
2 altercations in about 90 minutes
As for the two physical altercations that followed, Fleming found after viewing a video of the incident and speaking with witnesses that Bugelli breached the code of conduct in one instance for “adversely treat[ing] a member of the public.”
Fleming said Bugelli was speaking with another attendee when he was shoved to the ground, then attempted to continue the altercation by approaching and grabbing the person who had shoved him.
Based on the evidence, Fleming was unable to determine that Bugelli had instigated the first fight as complainants have alleged, but agreed the councillor’s response was nevertheless inappropriate.
In a second altercation about 90 minutes later, Bugelli was seen being grabbed and again falling to the floor, then punching someone who tried to pull him up by his shirt.
Fleming said to the best of his knowledge, Bugelli was trying to defend himself in that second instance.
Councillor offers apology
Bugelli read a statement at Tuesday’s township council meeting in which he acknowledged the “unfortunate events,” accepted the integrity commissioner’s recommendations and vowed to do better moving forward.
“I hope my colleagues and the community will accept my apologies from last September’s events, and can see the work I will do to regain your trust and respect,” Bugelli said.
He specifically apologized to volunteers at the Moose Creek Recreation Hall for putting himself in a situation that distracted from the evening’s celebration of their work. The councillor also thanked Fleming for his work investigating the incident.
“I have learned from this mistake. For those who know me best, my family, friends and my colleagues, this was a mistake on my part, but was an isolated event, and I will make sure this is not repeated in the future,” Bugelli said.
His statement did not specifically mention drinking or fighting.