Close X
Saturday, December 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

'Creative' Contracts Not Uncommon For Mps, Ministers, Says Former Duffy Aide

The Canadian Press, 10 Jun, 2015 10:18 AM
    OTTAWA — A longtime Parliament Hill aide says it was not unusual for MPs and ministers to pay for services through "creative" contracts or even have outside businesspeople pay.
     
    Diane Scharf was testifying at the trial of Sen. Mike Duffy, who has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.
     
    The court has been hearing about how Duffy's office filled out the paperwork for some of the contested travel, living and office claims submitted to the Senate.
     
    Several charges have to do with $65,000 in research contracts given to Duffy's friend Gerald Donohue, who in turn made a number of payments to others — including covering Scharf's office cellphone bill.
     
    Scharf filled in for six months in 2011 as Duffy's executive assistant, and had previous experience working with a number of MPs, senators, ministers and prime ministers.
     
    Scharf says that if MPs or ministers needed something to get a service paid efficiently, sometimes they would find a back-door way to do it.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    2015 City Of Bhangra Festival Featuring Taza Beats Kicks Off Tonight

    2015 City Of Bhangra Festival Featuring Taza Beats Kicks Off Tonight
    Vancouver, BC – The 2015 City of Bhangra Festival kicks-off tonight, in the heart of Vancouver’s entertainment district at LED Bar located on 967 Granville Street.

    2015 City Of Bhangra Festival Featuring Taza Beats Kicks Off Tonight

    Kamloops Woman Finds Dead Bear In Shower Curtain While Walking Home

    Kamloops Woman Finds Dead Bear In Shower Curtain While Walking Home
    Conservation officers are investigating the case of a dead bear that was apparently shot before being wrapped in a shower curtain and dumped in an alley in Kamloops, B.C.

    Kamloops Woman Finds Dead Bear In Shower Curtain While Walking Home

    Surrey Men Convicted Of Killing Six People Say Cells Covered In Feces, Blood

    Surrey Men Convicted Of Killing Six People Say Cells Covered In Feces, Blood
    Two men convicted of first-degree murder in a mass execution that left six people dead are suing the British Columbia government for their alleged mistreatment in prison.

    Surrey Men Convicted Of Killing Six People Say Cells Covered In Feces, Blood

    Walk Off The Earth Singer Sarah Blackwood Booted From United Airlines Plane Due To Fussy Toddler

    Walk Off The Earth Singer Sarah Blackwood Booted From United Airlines Plane Due To Fussy Toddler
    TORONTO — Walk Off the Earth singer Sarah Blackwood says she wants compensation and an apology after being kicked off a United Airlines flight because her young child was being fussy.

    Walk Off The Earth Singer Sarah Blackwood Booted From United Airlines Plane Due To Fussy Toddler

    Increase In Drug Spending Hits 40 Year Low But Expected To Rebound Soon: Report

    Increase In Drug Spending Hits 40 Year Low But Expected To Rebound Soon: Report
    TORONTO — A new report says the amount of money Canadians spent on prescription drugs last year rose a mere 0.9 per cent, the lowest increase since statistics on drug spending were first measured in 1975.

    Increase In Drug Spending Hits 40 Year Low But Expected To Rebound Soon: Report

    Five Things To Know About This Year's Wildfire Season In Western Canada

    Five Things To Know About This Year's Wildfire Season In Western Canada
    VANCOUVER — Five things to know about the 2015 wildfire season expected in Western Canada:

    Five Things To Know About This Year's Wildfire Season In Western Canada