The City of L’Ancienne-Lorette claims that its general manager left his position “voluntarily” at the beginning of November. Mayor Gaétan Pageau made the public announcement at the last meeting of the municipal council, on October 29.
André Rousseau “submitted his resignation in order to take up a new professional challenge,” municipal spokesperson Caroline Fortin-Dupuis said on Friday, in response to questions from the Soleil.
He “dedicated a large part of his career to the City of L’Ancienne-Lorette and, regardless of the events that occurred in October 2023, we are very grateful to him for the excellent services he has provided for more than 30 years,” Mayor Pageau greeted him in front of elected officials in a public session at the end of October.
André Rousseau’s departure comes shortly after he was accused of assault and indecent action at the Quebec courthouse at the beginning of September.
The fifty-year-old allegedly committed an indecent action on October 14, 2023, during a public event involving citizens and several staff members of the City of L’Ancienne-Lorette. It was an open house activity of the Public Works Services. According to information from Soleilhe allegedly pulled down a person’s pants in a public place, in front of several witnesses.
Assault
On the same date, during the same event, he was also accused of having committed an assault offense on a 48-year-old complainant, also an employee of the City of L’Ancienne-Lorette. A police complaint was filed in December 2023 and the charges were served on André Rousseau last July.
In August, the mayor of L’Ancienne-Lorette imposed teleworking on his director while the legal process was concluded.
André Rousseau must return to court in January to schedule his trial. He still intends to plead not guilty to charges of indecent actions.
Deputy general manager Philippe Millette has been acting as general manager since the departure of Mr. Rousseau, an employee who had “the most seniority” in the City of L’Ancienne-Lorette, according to the mayor.
A hiring process is underway.
