OTTAWA – The federal integrity watchdog is investigating a former senior official at the Canada School of Public Service, prompting her to launch an unsuccessful court bid to derail the probe.

Court documents show Public Sector Integrity Commissioner Mario Dion is looking into allegations against Chantal Cousineau-Mahoney, a former vice-president and chief financial officer at the school.

Dion’s investigations are usually confidential, but the contentious case — including purported character assassination and death threats — has become a matter of public record as a result of Cousineau-Mahoney’s attempt to quash the probe.

At issue are unproven allegations that Cousineau-Mahoney engaged in improper hiring and created a toxic work environment.

She was removed from her position and has been on extended medical leave.

The Federal Court rejected Cousineau-Mahoney’s argument that Dion’s probe has been unnecessarily secretive, and the integrity watchdog — though tossing out some of the allegations — has yet to rule on her case.

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