Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien is shooting down a story he says the Ottawa Citizen is planning to publish concerning his ex-wife.
The announcement came at a hastily called news conference after the mayor got word an Ottawa Citizen reporter was preparing a story alleging Debbie O'Brien is raising money for legal fees on the mayor's behalf.
The Ottawa Citizen wouldn't divulge any details about the pending story or even say if one is being pursued.
"We do not discuss our plans for upcoming coverage," Executive Editor Drew Gragg told CTV News.
At the news conference, a defiant O'Brien told reporters the pending story is based on what he calls "rumours and innuendo."
"I have spoken to Debbie, and this is patently untrue," the mayor told reporters. "I am, for the record, capable of handling my own legal expenses."
O'Brien read a statement at the 5:45 p.m. news conference and refused to take questions from the media.
He told reporters to leave his family out of his legal woes.
Facing charges
O'Brien is currently facing charges that he attempted to influence the city's 2006 mayoral race.
Police spent eight months investigating claims by Terry Kilrea that O'Brien offered him a position on the National Parole Board to leave the race for mayor.
Kilrea alleges he was offered $30,000 to cover his expenses. Kilrea eventually dropped out of the 2006 mayoral race, but said he never accepted any money.
The investigation into the matter was sparked by a complaint from the Ottawa and District Labour Council.
O'Brien has denied the bribery accusation, along with the claim that he discussed a possible appointment for Kilrea with federal Environment Minister John Baird, a Conservative Ottawa MP and the Treasury Board president during the period in question.
The case is scheduled to go to trial April 6, 2009.
Read O'Brien's entire statement here and watch video of the news conference
