# Québec mayor denies theft allegations over Bacardi bottles

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/quaint-town-rocked-after-its-elderly-mayor-was-accused-of-repeatedly-shoplifting-bacardi-from-liquor-store/
- Published: 2026-11-05T15:39:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T15:47:38+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16268287/elderly-mayor-accused-shoplifting-Bacardi-liquor-store.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Québec mayor charged over alleged Bacardi thefts.
- Dalzell has pleaded not guilty.
- He is due back in court on 22 January.

## Summary

Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs Mayor John Dalzell, 80, has been charged with theft after allegedly taking bottles of Bacardi from a Québec liquor store without paying. The case has drawn attention because Dalzell is the leader of a small municipality and formerly served as a deputy police chief.

Prosecutors allege the thefts happened on five visits to a Société des alcools du Québec store, on 28 October, 11 November and 29 November last year, and 3 February this year; the article does not give a date for the fifth alleged visit. Dalzell has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on 22 January. The municipality has about 4,000 residents, and a regional council spokesperson said the council was aware of the charges and took the situation seriously.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.