RCMP says former Conservative employee Dion Ahwai has been charged with data embezzlement, which sources say is related to an investigation into an alleged theft of materials from Erin O’Toole’s Zoom account during his career. 2020 leadership.
During the pandemic-era contest that O’Toole chose as the party leader, his team accused rival Peter MacKay’s camp of accessing and downloading videos that they said contained sensitive strategic information.
MacKay’s campaign denied allegations of wrongdoing at the time, a deputy who supported O’Toole fired an inmate in connection with the alleged breach, and O’Toole’s leadership campaign went refer the matter of the alleged data theft to the police.
The RCMP did not confirm the link between the prosecution and this investigation, but two sources familiar with the matter – granted anonymity because they fear the professional repercussions of public speaking – say the Mounties told senior members of O’Toole’s leadership campaign on the charge. on Tuesday.
The RCMP says Ahwai, who did not immediately respond to requests for feedback sent to his work email address and via Facebook, is scheduled to appear in an Ontario court on Aug. 4.
A spokesman for O’Toole, who was sacked as the Conservative leader by the caucus in February, said he would not comment because the matter is before the courts.