Laval mayor denies wrongdoing and says he’ll stay on the job

MONTREAL – Canada’s latest scandal-plagued mayor says he’s done nothing wrong and is staying on to complete his interim mandate.

The replacement mayor of Laval, Que., says he did not solicit – or receive – sexual favours from a prostitute.

He says he was the victim of an extortion attempt.

This is one day after news stories reported unconfirmed allegations he was involved in an encounter with an escort that went awry.

Police are confirming that a man has complained about being extorted by a prostitute on June 14 – but they haven’t identified the man.

They say the man got involved in a dispute with an escort about payment, and that there was an alleged extortion attempt after. They have said they plan to hand the case over to prosecutors for their consideration.

A spokesman for the mayor had already said the mayor believes he was extorted – but had not commented on the circumstances surrounding the event.

The case represents only the latest controversy involving a Canadian mayor following resignations, criminal charges and police investigations of municipal leaders in different cities.

Duplessis himself replaced a predecessor who resigned amid corruption allegations and, next door in Montreal, a fellow replacement mayor resigned last week after being arrested on corruption charges.

Under Duplessis, the city has been placed under provincial trusteeship after allegations at a provincial inquiry that he took part in illegal political financing when he was a councilor.

He is not expected to seek re-election in November.

Duplessis says the last few months have been difficult. He says he and his colleagues have received a number of hateful messages from the public, some of them threatening.