On Tuesday, the Hamilton courts will hear the case in which Nancy Guzzo, Oakville trustee with the HCDSB, is facing twelve counts of fraud. The charges which include ten counts of fraud under $5,000 and two counts over $5,000 relate to her previous employment with the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA).

Without prejudging the outcome of the case, a finding of guilt or conviction on any of the twelve fraud charges may compel the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) to find a new trustee. Furthermore, the Board may be forced to revisit any decisions in which Ms. Guzzo took part. She could be completely exonerated.

Tomorrow will mark the eighth time this matter appears before the courts. Multiple attempts to contact Ms. Guzzo and the HCDSB for comment on the appropriateness of her participation in Board business have gone unanswered. Last week, the HCDSB elected Ms. Guzzo as Chair of the Policy Committee in a secret ballot held during a Board Policy meeting (December 14).

The results of a resolution meeting between the prosecution and Ms Guzzo’s lawyers scheduled for November 29 have not yet been made public. If all charges are cleared, LiUNA may have to explain why they came up with the charges that were levied against a public official. “We take any and all allegations of impropriety filed against Ms. Guzzo of highest concern. This remains an active criminal case before the court and therefore will not be commenting further”, LiUNA told the Corriere via email.

The Corriere indicated that they will reach out to LiUNA after the hearing.

Photo credit: HCDSB.org