Rick Chiarelli was rushed to the hospital this week as the Ottawa city councilman faces new complications believed to be related to his heart surgery two years ago.
The College Ward counselor’s director of strategic affairs and communications confirmed to Global News in a statement that Chiarelli was taken to the hospital by ambulance earlier this week.
He was admitted and has since undergone “extensive testing,” his communications director said.
“The results to date show more complications that appear to have arisen than those she experienced for several months after her quadruple open heart bypass surgery in December 2019,” the statement read.
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“Testing is still ongoing, however Councilmember Chiarelli remains committed to participating electronically in pre-scheduled budget meetings with the community, as his health allows.”
Chiarelli is serving his term in a diminished capacity due to a combination of health complications and sanctions imposed by the council related to two reports from the integrity commissioner of sexual misconduct in his office.
The embattled councilor has been removed from committees, had his power to hire staff and manage his office budget restricted, and his 450-day payment for the reports was withdrawn, confirming allegations that he sexually harassed staff already applicants from your office. Chiarelli has denied the allegations and is fighting the integrity commissioner’s findings in court.
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She also took a medical leave from the council to address her heart problems early in her period.
Chiarelli most recently appeared virtually at the September 8 meeting of the city council.
This news was first reported on Friday by the Ottawa Citizen.
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Reference-globalnews.ca