Williams doubles down on east versus west bias, accuses deputy mayor of conflict of interest

Danny Williams is adamant he is not being treated as well as developers in the city's east end, but says he likely has no choice but to pay for a contentious roundabout.

The former premier is being told to pay for the piece of infrastructure, even though it falls outside the limits of his development at Galway.

• Danny Williams, City of St. John's in dispute over roundabout near Galway

"If they give you an ultimatum, 'or else,' then what do you do?" Williams said Tuesday morning. "You have to do it or you don't get permits. But that's not a very good way to be operating."

Williams and his company, DewCor, have spent $100 million on the development without any public money, he said.

No problems with tabling letter, Williams says

In a letter released to the public on Monday night, Williams aired his frustrations with the city over treatment he has received from city council throughout the course of the development.

Since the roundabout will also benefit residents of the Goulds, Southlands and drivers who use the arterial road, he does not believe his developmentshould be on the hook.

"I can't be expected to pay for every piece of infrastructure whereby somebody uses that infrastructure to drive to Galway," Williamssaid.

The letter was tabled during Monday's council meeting by Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, whichmade the letter a public document.

While Mayor Dennis O'Keefe took issue with the tabling, saying it was a legal letter and could cause problems for council, Williams says he doesn't care.

"The fact the letter went public, from my perspective, is not a bad thing," he said."You don't write a letter to the city and not expect it to be a public document."

He does take issue, however, with Ellsworthin the position of deputy mayor.

"The person who released it would be my concern," Williams said. "It's the deputy mayor [and] what his agenda is."

Williams alleges criminal complaint made against Ellsworth

In an interview with CBC News, Williams saidthe deputy mayorshould not be making decisions on development.

Williamsbrought up an alleged high-interest loan Ellsworth made to Anne Squires, owner of Exit Realty on the Rock, which was pushed into receivership more than a year ago.

Squires is being investigated by the RNC for alleged financial irregularities.

ThenWilliams went further, alleging the force is also investigating a criminal complaint against the deputy mayor.

• Anne Squires sues St. John's Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth for $137K
• Ron Ellsworth silent on alleged high-interest loan to Anne Squires

Ellsworth, meanwhile,said he was not aware of any criminal investigation or complaint.

It wasn't something I did knee-jerk.- Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth

"If Mr. Williams is familiar with any criminal complaint, then he knows more about Anne Squires and the criminal complaint than I know anything about," he said.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said for privacy reasons it cannotcomment on whether or not a complaint has been filed unless charges are laid and sworn in court.

When contacted by CBC News, Ann Squires's lawyer, Randy Piercey, declined comment.

Williams said Ellsworth's alleged actions are a conflict of interest.

"We have him, allegedly, lending money to developers in the city when at the same time, he sits on the other side of the table and adjudicates and decides what developments are good and what ones are bad."

Ellsworthsaid he knew the waters he was wading into when he released the letter.

"It wasn't something I did knee-jerk I fully understood that when I raised an issue that he didn't like, he would be guns blazing, coming after me, both barrels [with] anything he can raise, anything he can [use to] detract from this conversation.

"I will stick to the topic we are talking about."