It has been more than two years since Penticton city councillor James Miller took leave from his position while he awaited trial on allegations of historic sex crimes.

He’s been getting paid ever since.

Miller, 62, was accused of abusing three boys when he was a basketball coach in Ontario in the 1990s. The cases were separated into two trials, and the verdicts on both are set to be announced next week, Sept. 14 and 18. Regardless of the outcome, his paid leave is due to soon end.

The City of Penticton was required to put Miller on mandatory paid leave when he was charged in August 2024. Miller committed to finishing out his term as councillor, despite being absent from city hall for more than two years.

Provincial legislation requires councillors to go on paid leave if charged with a crime. But, the paid leave ends when a councillor is acquitted or convicted.

If convicted, Miller will be immediately disqualified from office and stop getting paid, but if he’s found not guilty he’ll be reinstated, and finish out the final six weeks of his term with full compensation.

The election is on Oct. 17, and the term officially ends at the inaugural meeting on Nov. 3 when the new council gets sworn in.

While on leave, Miller has made an estimated $60,636 based on the City of Penticton’s Statements of Financial Information.

The details of the allegations against Miller came to light during the criminal trials in Sarnia, Ont. earlier this year. Miller pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Though he was found not guilty on similar charges in 2005, three more alleged victims came forward after Miller was elected to Penticton city council.

In addition to being a city councillor, Miller is an editor for the Penticton Herald and Kelowna Courier. He has been on leave from the Okanagan Newspaper Group for an unspecified time.