Innisfail town council is reviewing the results of a code of conduct probe of a councillor who has been accused of sexual assault.
Donnie Douglas Hill was charged last fall with sexual assault, forcible confinement, assault and criminal harassment. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
“These are historical offences dating back to 2013, 2014 and 2015,” said Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk.
“I’m not in a position to elaborate any further.”
Hill is expected to be arraigned in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Feb. 1.
In a statement, Hill said “every one of these charges is false, and I intend to spare no effort in defending myself with every lawful means at my disposal.
“I have instructed my legal counsel to enter not guilty pleas to these charges, and I look forward to clearing my name in a court of law at the earliest opportunity.”
Hill, who was first elected to council in 2017, declined on Wednesday to further comment on the charges or the code of conduct investigation, citing the ongoing proceedings.
Last October, Hill moved a motion, which passed, to engage an external investigator to look into code of conduct issues with town council.
The following month, council approved an external, independent investigation of matters associated with council’s upholding of its code of conduct.
SAGE Analytics Inc. was appointed to conduct the review and a summary report was presented to council in the in-camera portion of its Monday meeting.
Council then passed a motion to consider the SAGE investigation report.
“Council is now considering the information outlined within the investigation report involving Coun. Hill,” says the town in a Wednesday news release.
“The code of conduct investigation remains ongoing regarding other matters with the understanding further information will be presented to council at a future meeting.
“Council thanks members of the public for their continued patience as the investigation continues.”