Ottawa Mayor Charged with Bribery, Says Could Quit

OTTAWA—Ottawa mayor Larry O'Brien was Monday charged with bribing an opponent to drop out of a mayoral race last year and of pretending to have influence with federal Environment Minister John Baird.

Police laid the charges after rival candidate Terry Kilrea alleged O'Brien approached him and suggested he quit the race in return for a job and help with his expenses. Kilrea said O'Brien suggested Baird—also the political minister for the Ottawa region—might be able to help find him a job.

Baird denies he ever talked to O'Brien about Kilrea, who eventually dropped out of the race. O'Brien said he was innocent and declared himself ready to continue in his job.

"In order to do the right thing, however, and to allow a proper discussion of the implications of this matter, I will hold back my final decision until I've had a chance to listen to the public and ... convene and listen to a special meeting of council," he told councilors.

O'Brien—who admitted to a newspaper that he had met Kilrea to discuss his rivals' expenses—is due to make his first court appearance on Jan. 9 next year. Kilrea says he did not accept any money from O'Brien.