by Enterprise Cape Breton CEO John Lynn is coming under stern criticism from the federal government’s integrity watchdog.
Mario Dion is scheduled to give a report on the matter today to the House of Commons and the Senate.
In a letter to Cape Breton Canso Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner, Dion says his investigation found that Lynn committed a serious ethical breach when he hired four employees with strong ties to the Conservative Party.
Dion adds the positions were filled without competition and with no basis in merit.
The four ECBC appointments that came under criticism include Robert MacLean, a former executive assistant to current Regional Mayor Cecil Clarke when he was a Progressive Conservative MLA.
Allan Murphy, a defeated federal Conservative candidate who was chief of staff to cabinet minister Peter MacKay.
Ken Langley, a defeated provincial Progressive Conservative candidate who served as chief of staff to former premier John Buchanan.
And Nancy Baker who worked for Peter MacKay before and after her term at ECBC.
She’s now a policy adviser in MacKay’s office at Justice Canada.
Meanwhile, John Lynn remains on a leave of absence with pay and has denied any wrongdoing.
His position will be eliminated when ECBC is absorbed by ACOA, as early as next month.
The federal ethics commissioner is also investigating Lynn.