A Canadian politician has been arrested and charged with making threats after allegedly leaving a voicemail that she later claimed was generated by artificial intelligence. Ontario Councilor Corinna Traill faces two counts of uttering threats, according to a statement from the Peterborough Police Service in Ontario.
The charges come after former mayoral candidate Tom Dingwall took to Facebook in September, accusing Traill of leaving him a threatening voicemail in August. Dingwall alleged that Traill urged him not to enter the mayoral race to allow a friend of hers to run without competition.
In his post, Dingwall claimed that Traill explicitly warned him that if he did not comply, she would resort to violence, stating that she would come to his home, kill him, and sexually assault his wife. Dingwall further accused Traill of threatening to repeat the assault.
He called for Traill’s resignation, emphasizing that no elected official should use intimidation or threats to deter others from seeking public office or contributing to public service for personal or political gain.
“Miss Traill made it clear that if I did not, she would come to my home, kill me, and sexually assault my wife, then sexually assault her again,” he alleged.
He called for Traill to step down, adding, “To be clear, no elected official, paid to represent us, should utilize intimidation or threats to dissuade anyone from pursuing elected office or engaging in public service, especially to the benefit of their friend.”
In her own statement posted to Facebook in September, Traill denied having sent the voicemail.
“I want to state clearly and unequivocally: I did not create this message,” she wrote. “I have been advised that artificial intelligence technology was involved. Portions of the voicemail were my voice, but other parts were artificially generated.”
She wrote at the time that her team was trying to figure out who created the message.
“For more than a decade I have worked to represent the best interests of our community, advocate for our residents, and ensure that local decision-making reflects the values and priorities of the people I serve,” she added. “That dedication will not waver in light of these circumstances.”
Traill was released from jail on her own recognizance and is expected in court in January, the police department said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Traill for comment.
