Lussier offers public apology, but nothing else
Sherbrooke Mayor Steve Lussier held a press conference on Sunday morning in front of local media and invited members of his campaign team to publically apologize for having suggested that his former campaign manager and chief of staff, Daniel Bergeron, had lied about a plan to recruit Sherbrooke residents to speak out against City Council member Évelyne Beaudin.
“Mr. Bergeron is not a liar,” Lussier said, putting the blame for that idea on commentary in the local media before adding, “I understand that this situation must have put him in a very uncomfortable position and I therefore publically apologize to him as well as his entire family.”
Lussier had previously told several local media, including The Record, that Bergeron was taking his own initiative in contacting members of the public to come criticize Beaudin at last week’s city council meeting. He had also stated that he never instructed Bergeron to take that approach and suggested that the former chief of staff must have misunderstood him.
Bergeron, who had previously accused Lussier of lying with the threat that he had convincing proof that the conversation was real, said he was happy
he and the Mayor were able to come to an agreement.
“For me, today, we’ve turned the page,” The former staffer said, adding that he still believes Lussier is a passionate, engaged, and devoted Mayor. “I remain convinced he will make Sherbrooke a prosperous city.”
Bergeron and Lussier did not take questions following their statements and offered no further comment on the matter when asked directly. In a written statement, carefully crafted with the assistance of Sherbrooke communications specialist René Marchand, the pair stated that they both feel the matter was blown out of proportion and reflects poorly on city hall.
“After having spoken together, the two men agreed that the things said in their private discussion were unfortunate and open to interpretation,” the statement reads.
Lussier also used the public event to thank the main supporters of his campaign.