Penticton City Councillor James Miller can continue his duties on council after past sexual assault charges in Ontario surfaced, for which he was acquitted.
“Council is just learning of these concerning events from Councillor Miller’s past in Ontario and have directed staff to make appropriate inquiries,” said Mayor Julius Bloomfield in a public statement last Wednesday night, July 19.
“As well, council has asked Coun. Miller not to attend public events until we’ve reached a conclusion on this.”
On Tuesday, July 25, the mayor said council completed its inquiries into the past charges and acquittal of coun. Miller and considers ‘the matter closed.’
Miller can now attend community events on behalf of the City.
Miller is also the managing editor of the Penticton Herald.
Since the past charges surfaced on social media last week, Miller said he planned to stay on as councillor and editor and issued the following statement:
Almost two decades ago I was charged with assault and sexual assault and sexual interference. In 2006 I was acquitted of all those charges. I remain grateful to the Canadian legal system that found these allegations against me were unproven.
Since the charges were dismissed, I have moved on with my personal and professional life, believing that this difficult time in my past was now behind me and no longer relevant. It is troubling that someone has now attempted to make this old court case news, but I trust people in this community will judge me on the work I have done on their behalf as a Councillor and as editor of a local newspaper. My present goals remain to work for the citizens of Penticton as one of their Councillors and to continue my profession as a journalist.
Shortly after, he moved to Alberta before moving to the Okanagan where he began working at the Penticton Herald in 2008. The Herald’s general manager Shannon Huggard confirmed that Miller will continue in his position of editor.
In 2021, Miller entered politics, running in the by-election and winning. He sought re-election and won his seat in 2022.
READ MORE: Meet Penticton candidate James Miller
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