This article was last updated on May 25, 2022
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A press release confirmed that the RCMP is laying 31 criminal charges against suspended senator Mike Duffy, including fraud and breach of trust, concluding a criminal investigation that started more than a year ago and reignited the Senate expenses scandal.
The timing of these charges is extremely upsetting for the Conservative government, as it gears up to fight an election in 2015, so the case of a Tory appointed senator being accused of corrupt behaviour will affect his support when Stephen Harper asks voters for a fourth mandate. Quite unexpectedly, the RCMP charged Mr. Duffy with bribery for accepting $90,000 from former Harper chief of staff, Nigel Wright, to pay back improperly-claimed expenses, although the Mounties failed to charge the ex-aide for writing the cheque. Mr. Duffy is anticipated to appear in an Ottawa court on Sept. 16 on the charges.
According to a statement issued by The Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, it further distanced itself from Mr. Duffy, who was appointed to the Senate by Mr. Harper in late 2008. In its remarks, PMO stated that Mr. Duffy’s alleged behaviour is “disgraceful” and stressed that lawbreakers must be punished but declined to make further comment. Director of communications, Jason MacDonald, alleged that “we have assisted the RCMP throughout their investigation, and congratulate them on the progress they have made.” It was added that “those who break the rules must suffer the consequences. The conduct described in the numerous charges against Mr. Duffy is disgraceful.”
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