Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2022 01:30 PM
VANCOUVER - A special prosecutor says British Columbia's former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in "glaring and egregious" ways.
Brock Martland made the allegation as he began closing arguments in the Crown's case against Craig James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust.
James's defence is expected to present its case Wednesday.
Martland says that as the most senior officer of the legislature, James held a position akin to the CEO and was responsible for financial stewardship of the institution.
He accused James of acting outside of his duties by picking up a wood splitter and trailer for the legislature and storing them at home for a year, exploiting a weakness in the system to award himself a $258,000 retirement benefit and charging souvenirs to the public purse.
Martland says public trust in government officials is a critical part of a functioning democracy, and he alleged that James violated that trust.
"This case is about trust, specifically the public trust that we place in government officials," Martland told the court on Tuesday.
"Our position is that the public trust was violated repeatedly and extensively by Craig James."
The association said 53 hummingbirds from the Lower Mainland were brought into its care during the last week of December when the temperature first plummeted, a drastic increase in comparison to the four birds it treated during the same time period a year earlier.
Iqbal Uppal is described as a South Asian Male, Bald with a White Beard, 6’2, 280 lbs wearing a grey and red hoodie, blue jeans and beige baseball cap. Iqbal walks with a limp due to arthritis in both knees. Police and family are concerned for his health and well-being.
Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 6,288 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 241,946 cases in the province. Record breaking day in BC for COVID19 cases with Omicron variant driving up the numbers.
There are currently 10,415 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 222,604 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 192 individuals are currently in hospital and 71 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
There are currently 8,739 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 221,872 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 195 individuals are currently in hospital and 75 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
