The former City of Toronto treasurer charged with professional misconduct for her role in the MFP computer leasing scandal has asked a judge to determine the fairness of the disciplinary process before her hearing begins.
Wanda Liczyk was charged last month by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO) for awarding millions of dollars worth of contracts to a man with whom she had a sexual relationship.
On Wednesday, Liczyk's lawyer argued the legality of the action taken against his client.
"Ms. Liczyk's views it as unfair -- the course of action that the institute has taken into enacting a new bylaw that has the effect of automatically referring matters to discipline in circumstances where the institute's own professional conduct committee, after a criminal investigation, had concluded that this was not a case that warranted charges of professional misconduct," Aaron Dantowitz told reporters.
The ICAO decided last July not to pursue charges against Liczyk, but protests by the City of Toronto and by citizen Doug Elliot caused the institute to review its decision.
The Professional Conduct Committee alleges that while Liczyk held a senior finance position at the City of North York (between May 1989 and December 1997) she "failed to conduct herself in a manner" that would maintain the accounting profession's reputation "and its ability to serve the public interest."
The committee added that she "participated in decisions" that sent work to her friend, Michael Saunders or a company with whom he was "associated."
A similarly worded charge was entered for the period between about January 1998 and June 2001 when Liczyk was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the City of Toronto.
Finally, the committee said that between about January 1998 and December 1998 Liczyk allegedly "signed contracts for consulting services provided by Michael Saunders or his company without proper authority."
If Liczyk is found guilty, she could face a fine or have her license to practice as a chartered accounted suspended or revoked.
Liczyk rocked the MFP computer leasing scandal inquiry two years ago when she admitted to having a sexual relationship with Saunders, who was a software consultant.
Her conduct came under fire by Justice Denise Bellamy in the 2005 report on Toronto's computer-leasing practices.
Bellamy said Liczyk was in a conflict of interest when she participated in awarding million dollar contracts to firms connected with Saunders. The judge also said Liczyk had a conflict in dealing with Domi, a friend with whom she "failed to maintain the professional boundaries" when he did business with the city.
Domi, the brother of former Maple Leaf Tie Domi, worked for MFP Financial Services Ltd., which leased computer equipment to the city.
The cost of the contract was stated as $43 million, but that amount ballooned and the city ended up paying more than twice that amount. Bellamy found Liczyk "buried" the overrun in her council reports.
Liczyk's case will resume next month.
With a report from CTV's Chris Eby
