TAPEGATE – ‘I now recognize that my conduct was unacceptable’ says Sarai

Posted on June 25, 2025 in 'Loops, City Issues, Page One // 5 Comments

(Image: Mel Rothenburger)

Coun. Bill Sarai took another step forward in his penitence on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) as he handed Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson a letter of apology.

At the regular meeting of council, he said he had “owned up to my mistake” in secretly recording a conversation with Hamer-Jackson and then lying about it.

A $40,000 investigation into a Code of Conduct complaint into his actions resulted in a letter of reprimand, council demanding letters of apology, and enrolment in a course on respectful workplace behaviour.

His letter to Hamer-Jackson was marked “Private and Confidential” but his apology to council and the public is posted on the City’s website. Though the letter acknowledges he breached the council’s Code of Conduct, it doesn’t mention that he was also found to have breached his Oath of Office.

In his remarks Tuesday, he said he would not let the taping incident “tarnish” seven years on council.

“That’s all I have to say,” he said.

The letter to the public, staff and council is below. Meanwhile, a petition calling for his resignation has gathered more than 2,000 signatures.

Screenshot

Bill Sarai

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ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

5 Comments on TAPEGATE – ‘I now recognize that my conduct was unacceptable’ says Sarai

Griers // June 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM // Reply

Isn’t this a bit like someone shoplifting, and only after getting arrested and charged do they recognize that their conduct was unacceptable?

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Pierre // June 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM // Reply

Trustworthy apology? I don’t think so.

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Cody // June 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM // Reply

If Bill is entirely responsible for this and admitted his guilt and breach of code and oath, would Bill consider subtracting the $40K investigation cost from his salary? That would show some real integrity.

Or is “sorry” enough for the taxpayers to foot Bill’s bill?

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bronwenbscott // June 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM // Reply

Is Coun. Sarai saying that he thought lying and using a secret recording to publicly shame someone were OK until he was told differently a few months ago?

Maybe Sarai (and some other council members) could use a refresher on what swearing an Oath of Office means.

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Oats N Goats // June 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM // Reply

Bill Sarai said he owned up to it. That’s sort of somewhere in the meandering ballpark nestled somewhere in the stadium of truth, maybe around the dugout area somewheres, under one of the benches maybe.

What he actually did was come clean after the RCMP pressed him about it. Had the RCMP not been involved, I don’t think anyone here believes Bill would have found the required fortitude to come clean on his own.

That’s not quite the halo imagery attempted by Bill’s comment.

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