Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - November 3, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free press Friday november 3, 2006 winnipegfreepress.coma3 top news what sat stake former senior civil servant Stephen Kupfer faces a Fine of up to $10,000 if convicted of violating the provinces conflict of interest Law. The Whistler hollow land development Deal could generate Revenue in excess of $7 million through the Sale of lots. Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg free press archives Stephen Kupfers conflict of interest charge involves his alleged participation in the 2004 Purchase of the former seven Oaks youth Centre. Conflict of interest Law broken sex civil servant charged Over land purchased from province by Aldo Santin a former senior provincial civil servant has been accused of help ing buy a 6.3-hectare River lot property from the government depart ment he used to help run within 10 months of retiring. Stephen Kupfer 48, faces a charge of violating the 12-month Cooling off period in the provinces conflict of interest Law. Kupfer said the charges Are without Merit adding that he does to believe he has broken any Law. He said that while his department was responsible for the property the Section that handled the Sale did to report directly to him. He is the first person charged under the provinces 19-year-old conflict of interest legislation Over his involvement in a new $7-million residential develop ment just outside Winnipeg a Northern which was obtained through the Provin employee is forbidden from doing any project would generate sales of almost Boundary. Cial court alleges that Between sept. 29, thing when they retire $7.3 million from which the developers trial 2004, and nov. 25, 2004 ? within the 12-?i think its ridiculous absurd would have to cover their costs. Kupfer who held the position of Assis month Cooling off time Frame ? Kupfer Kupfer said of the charge. The court Gerry Irving the assistant Deputy ant Deputy minister in the department acted on behalf of 4914971 Manitoba will decide whether that Issue the Sale of minister for labour relations in the Man of government services will go to trial limited which purchased the former land is something that would be a con Ito a Treasury Board said Kupfer is the in May after being charged with Violat youth facility. Flint when its not my responsibility to first individual charged with violating ing the legislative Assembly and exec documents obtained from the land look after the Sale of the conflict of interest legislation since Tive Council conflict of interest act. Titles office show that the Sale of the residents near the old youth detention it was enacted in 1987. Kupfers charge involves his alleged property was registered nov. 22, 2004. Centre were Given a newsletter dated Irving said he could not discuss the participation in the 2004 Purchase of the Olson is president of the numbered com oct. 22, 2004, signed by Kupfer in which charges against Kupfer but added that former seven Oaks youth Centre off Pany which is controlled by an Olson he stated that he and his partner Olson the province goes to great lengths to North main Street on Drury Avenue in family Trust. The Sale Price was $300,000. Had just purchased the property. Ensure All government employees Arete pm of West St. Paul. The site and Olson confirmed that Kupfer was my name is Stephen and along with aware of the conflict of interest rules. Adjacent land is now being marketed by involved in the land Deal. My business partner Mark Olson we Irving said the conflict of interest la Kupfer and Developer Mark Olson As he Kupfer was part of the transact purchased the former youth detention applies to Las Deputy ministers Assis Whistler hollow a fully serviced 61 Tion definitely Olson said. But i Don to Centre property from the province of Tant Deputy ministers and the Heads an Large lot residential development that know that Stephen has done anything Manitoba states the opening sentence senior staff of Crown agencies and gov includes a seniors condominium project. of the newsletter to the Drury Avenue Ern ment owned corporations. Irving said the province closed the detention Olson said he want even aware of the residents. The newsletter goes on to state that the province has an additional con facility in january 1998 and put it up for 12-month Cooling off period. That Kupfer and Olson As new owners of Flint of interest policy that affects Al Sale. The Sale was handled by the if found guilty Kupfer faces a Fine of the property want residents input into government employees which prohibit department of government services Between $1,000 and $10,000. How the property should be developed. Them from disclosing or using any con where Kupfer had been the assistant the charges have not been proven in Kupfer and Olson have since received Fidentia information they May have Deputy minister for 10 years prior to his court. Planning approvals for a residential obtained while a member of the Public retirement dec. 13, 2003. Kupfer said government services is development on the site which will service. Kupfer was responsible for looking a Large department with More than 1,500 include 61 Large lot residential proper Irving said former employees Are nor after $1 billion Worth of provincial real employees adding he want aware of ties and a seniors condominium pro Mally told before they leave the civil ser estate including the development of the what every division was doing. Postal known As Whistler hollow. Vice that if they have any concerns their downtown red River College Campus and land sales were handled by land Man the second phase to include the con new employment might result in a con other property development projects. Gement services which reported to a Dos will be developed on land to the Flint of interest then they should con the Cooling off provision in the con different assistant Deputy minister. North once owned by an adjacent prop tact the province for of interest Law states that Cabinet Kupfer said he does to believe the con erty owner. Irving said that after Kupfer was ministers and senior civil servants can Flint of interest legislation a Cooling off All 61 building lots Are identified on charged in March 2005, the government not have any dealings with their former provision could possibly apply to every the projects website it was not necessary to remind departments for 12 months following thing his former department had been . Several of the lots Are valued at senior civil servants of the provisions of retirement on any matter in which they involved in. More than $100,000 and several others the 12-month Cooling off involved. Government services has 1,500 Are listed at Between $144,000 and. a copy of the charge against Kupfer employees ? does that mean every $195,000. If All sold at the list Price the ;