An email that surfaced on Monday shows that then-warden Steve Sampson told councillors to pay for their own tickets to a Liberal party fundraiser, and then have the county reimburse them.

“It’s outrageous. It shows that the taxpayers of Richmond County had their money taken from them and put into the pockets of the local Liberal party,” said Nova Scotia Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie.

The email was sent to council in 2014 and signed by Sampson.It was released today by the PC Party.

The fundraiser was hostedat the Louisdale Parish Hall on May 23, 2014, bythe Cape Breton-Richmond Liberal Association, MLA Michel Samson and Premier Stephen McNeil.

"As a municipal unit we cannot contribute to a political party as election rules indicate however could reimburse individual councillors who submit proof ofticket purchase," reads part of the email.

All 10 Richmond councillors attended the event, but according to the audit seven were reimbursed for their tickets, totaling $300.

Current warden Victor David says he was not among them.

“I knew it was not, it couldn't be done- it shouldn't be done because of Elections Nova Scotia,” said David.

The additional allegations of wrongdoing come after a damning 300-page forensic audit into Richmond County expenses was released. The audit says county that “both the Travel Expense Policy and the Employee Policy are unclear regarding attendance of political party events or political party donations.”

According tothe Elections Act, only individuals are allowed to make contributions to political parties. Elections Nova Scotia is now investigating.

On Thursday, Cape Breton-Richmond Liberal MLA Michel Samson told reporters it was a mistake.

“I believe it's clear that they had an honest but mistaken belief that they could claim this for reimbursement,” said Samson.

On Monday, Samson says the councillors are better positioned to commenton the email.

“Looking at the situation on Thursday, that's the response that I gave. I'll leave it to others to make their own determinations,” he said.

“The local Liberal organizers conspired to get taxpayers money into the Liberal account,” said Baillie. “It’s wrong, it’s likely illegal.”

The PC leader includes Steve Sampson as one of those Liberal organizers. Months after the email was sent, and while he was still councillor, Sampson was hired by the Liberal caucus.

No one from the Liberal caucus office would agree an interview, but in an email a spokesperson says Sampson was hired as an outreach worker in January of 2015. He's currently on an unpaid leave of absence.

CTV News was not able to reach Sampson. Elections Nova Scotia declined to comment until its investigation is complete.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.