A stay of proceedings was entered into the court record Wednesday for the sexual assault charge against Port Moody Mayor Robert Vagramov.
Vagramov has now “completed the obligations under the alternative measures” program, special prosecutor Michael Klein told Judge Eugene Jamieson.
Outside the courthouse, Vagramov’s lawyer Ian Donaldson didn’t disclose the terms of his client’s diversion program but he said the alleged victim was consulted regarding the outcome.
Donaldson also gave some details of the accusation, the first time any information about the case has been revealed to the public.
Asked if Vagramov has taken responsibility for his actions — a condition under the alternative measures program — Donaldson told reporters, “This arose from an event roughly four years ago involving two adults, fully clothed, in daylight on a third date in circumstances where many people might have thought there was consent but it's said there wasn’t.”
Pressed on whether Vagramov has apologized to the alleged victim, whose identity cannot be published under terms of a court order, Donaldson said the two have “made peace.”
“It was resolved in a fashion that was suitable for everyone,” he said.
Donaldson also commented on whether incident, which is alleged to have happened in Coquitlam between April 1 and July 10, 2015, should have resulted in a criminal case.
“Reasonable people could say he shouldn’t have been charged,” he said. “But our system revolves around Crown counsel having discretion to make decisions.”
Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel for the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS), said the judge stayed the charges “after being advised by BC Corrections that Mr. Vagramov has successfully completed an alternative measures program authorized pursuant to section 717 (1) of the Criminal Code.”
He wrote to The Tri-City News: “In exercising his discretion to refer an accused person for alternative measures or approve an alternative measures program, the special prosecutor is guided by the principles set out in Section 717 of the Criminal Code, and the [BC Prosecution Service] policy on Alternative Measures for Adult Offenders, Section 717.4 of the Criminal Code prohibits the disclosure of these records without a court order.
“Accordingly, no further information regarding the details of the agreement will be released by the BCPS or the special prosecutor.”
Requests for comment from Vagramov were not immediately returned.
Rosemary Lodge, communications manager for the city of Port Moody, said Vagramov hasn’t indicated if or when he will return to work; the next council meeting is set for Nov. 26.
Vagramov took a leave of absence in March but came back to his civic duties on Sept. 17.
He took a second leave of absence in mid-October after council voted 4-3 in favour of Vagramov stepping down until his case was resolved.
