Wordofa cleared by IC, but still has legal costs

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After months of innuendo surrounding an unspecified Integrity Commissioner (IC)’s report, Coun. Geza Wordofa is breathing a little easier.

That IC report, dated to April 2025, found Wordofa did not contravene the City of Stratford’s code of conduct by making “impugned” comments on the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) department during a budget debate that same year.

“I am so happy,” Wordofa said, after being cleared to discuss the investigation. “I am so blessed when I get this report, because I am waiting for a long time.”

During the budget debate which started the whole saga, Wordofa advocated for dissolving the DEI department to save the municipality $240,000 a year, he claimed. He inferred the services are easily duplicated by other programs, such as Youtube videos or other community groups – notably from church groups or volunteers of the Huron-Perth Multicultural Association (MAPH), which he is the founder and president.

Though, as explained by IC David Boghosian in his report, Wordofa does not receive any remuneration from MAPH. Wordofa further clarified that neither he nor MAPH provide DEI training, rather they have discussions with groups on DEI matters.

“My question then as now, is what would the city achieve by spending $250,000 or more on a DEI department?” Wordofa stated in a clarification included in the report. “As far as I could tell, there was no specific program laid out and no objectives by which we could measure achievement. It looked to me like some amorphous, unmeasurable program. It did not look like it had a defined result as its purpose, but just some sort of feel-good program costing $250,000.”

In Boghosian’s analysis, he found Wordofa acted consistent with the city’s code of conduct requiring members to act with decorum and treat others, including staff, respectfully and in a non-derogatory fashion.

“For a municipal government to function properly, members must be able to debate whether certain programming is necessary,” Boghosian stated in the report. “It cannot constitute a breach of respect or decorum, and in turn the code, for a member to express that the elimination of a department is warranted, so long as they do so in a manner that does not impugn the reputations of staff. Coun. Wordofa limited his comments to opining on the necessity of the department itself, not the efficacy or performance of staff.”

Furthermore, since Wordofa does not receive a salary or remuneration from MAPH, Boghosian found he does not have a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

On Wordofa’s legal fees

This summer, Wordofa petitioned Stratford city council to reimburse $13,003.48 of his legal fees, which he told the Times related to this specific investigation, a similar petition to one he made in September 2025 when he asked for about $14,500 to be reimbursed. Both requests were denied.

According to Wordofa, he was informed of the IC investigation in 2025 and quickly retained private legal counsel to defend himself, even though counsel is not typically required for an IC investigation.

ICs are independent officers appointed by council for confidential guidance related to ethics, conflicts of interest and conduct rules. They investigate formal complaints from the public, council members or staff regarding alleged ethical or code of conduct violations of council members and submit reports with findings. If members of council are found to be in breach of the code, ICs will recommend penalties to council, which will ultimately be the body which imposes said penalties.

Penalties may include reprimands or suspension of pay, among other things.

Wordofa was born in Ethiopia and educated in Russia before coming to Canada. English is not his first language, nor his second language, for that matter. He told the Times he hired a lawyer and incurred fees simply because he was frightened by the notice and understood that he needed to protect himself – especially since he has a language barrier.    

“Because I have to prove I'm true,” Wordofa said. “Because somebody (has) to guide me. Somebody they have to be helping. That's it … I’m Ethiopian. I speak eight languages. The way I’m talking sometimes, I’m speaking (with) my hands or the way (I’m) talking is not properly … In different countries, some people they’re using hands, right? That is, you know, miscommunication – misunderstanding.”

According to chief administrative officer (CAO) André Morin, each term of council the city provides training and orientation on the city’s code of conduct and the responsibility of the IC, as part of the onboarding process for new and returning councillors.

“The city has liability insurance, including errors and omissions,” Morin stated. “This coverage covers council members, board members and committee members when acting in their capacity as those members. If an issue is determined eligible based on the insurer’s review of the case facts approved, the city insurer will assign legal representation on behalf of the council member. In relation to code of conduct or conflict of interest complaints investigated by the Integrity Commissioner, legal counsel is not necessary and is up to the individual whether they choose to be represented by separate legal counsel.”

When asked about a municipality’s responsibility in training and informing members of council, Zack Taylor, director of Western University’s Local Government Program and an associate professor with the school’s department of political science, told the Times that training is administered and procured by a municipality, so varies town to town, city to city.

“On the one hand, ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse,’” Taylor wrote to the Times. “In any job, people must understand their duties and rights. On the other hand, municipalities should probably organize a thorough onboarding process for newly elected politicians, and ensure that they have access to high-quality advice during their tenure in office.

“Nevertheless, if a politician does not take advantage of what is available, or makes no effort to learn about their job, it ends up being their own problem.”