WINNIPEG—Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz is being hauled into court by a competitor in the Chinese restaurant business.
Joe Chan, manaer of Cathay House restaurant, has launched an action the Court of Queen’s Bench alleging conflict of interest because the mayor’s office spent taxpayer money to hold a Christmas party last December in Hu’s Asian Bistro which is owned by Katz.
This was the second year in a row Katz held such a party in his restaurant. In 2010 the bill to taxpayers was $2,915 for the feast held for city councillers, department heads and their families at Hu’s.
Chan is asking the court to rule that Katz step down from office or pay back the restaurant costs to the City of Winnipeg.
Katz is not commenting on the court case but he previously stated that he held the party at his restaurant because others are booked up during the holiday period and he can give the city a sizable discount.
