by Richmond County councillor Steve Sampson says someone has tried to blackmail him over a call he made to a male escort service while on a municipal trip to Seattle, Washington.
Sampson adds the threat came in the form of a letter mailed to his home that contained a photocopy of the hotel bill with the phone call to the escort service on it.
Sampson says he’s turned the letter over to the RCMP in St. Peter’s.
The incident comes as the provincial ombudsman is reviewing travel and expense claims made by Richmond County councillors after getting complaints from the public.
Councillors also recently voted to go ahead with a forensic audit of expenses.
Meanwhile, Sampson says he made the call to the escort service on his own time and has offered to pay the $1.29 charge for the call if it’s discovered he hasn’t already.