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Katz bought company from Sheegl

By: Bartley Kives

Posted: 09/11/2012 5:14 PM | Last Modified: 09/11/2012 9:22 PM | Updates

Mayor Sam Katz (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store

Mayor Sam Katz bought a U.S.-registered company from the Winnipeg chief administrative officer Phil Sheegl — contrary to the latter’s claim he has no business dealings with the mayor.

On March 29, Katz purchased the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Duddy Enterprises LLC, according to Arizona Corporations Commission records. Katz spent $1 to purchase the company from Sheegl, the mayor said Tuesday evening, after he attended an infrastructure conference in Regina.

Two Fridays ago, in an interview regarding the city’s proposed swap of two old fire halls and a parcel of Fort Rouge land for a privately owned Taylor Avenue property, Sheegl told reporters he has no business dealings with Katz.

Duddy Enterprises LLC has sat dormant as a company, Sheegl said in a statement through a city spokesman. Katz said he may use the company if he chooses to do something with it in the future.

Under council rules, elected officials do not have to declare ownership of companies worth less than $500. Katz said there is nothing untoward about him buying an inactive property from the city’s top bureaucrat, noting it is no secret the two have long been friends

Sheegl was hired as Winnipeg director of planning, property and development in 2008. At the time, Katz described him as not just a friend, but a good friend.

Six months after joining the city, Sheegl was promoted to deputy chief administrative officer, serving under then-CAO Glen Laubenstein. Sheegl was named CAO in 2011, following a nationwide search for a person to head up Winnipeg’s public service.