Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Long-Delayed Trial Of Bruce Carson On Influence Peddling Charge Begins Monday

The Canadian Press, 13 Sep, 2015 01:02 PM
    OTTAWA — The federal Conservative election campaign will face yet another legal distraction Monday as the criminal trial of a former top aide to Prime Minister Stephen Harper begins.
     
    Bruce Carson is set to appear in an Ottawa court on an influence peddling charge in connection with the proposed sale of water-filtration systems to aboriginal reserves.
     
    The former senior adviser to Harper is also accused of three counts of illegal lobbying, charges which are expected to be dealt with at a later date, likely early next year.
     
    The Carson case follows on the heels of the trial of Senator Mike Duffy, which forced the Tories off of their campaign message over a two-week period in August.
     
    It's the latest in a string of accusations that have been aired against Conservatives and Harper appointees, including the jailing of Harper's former parliamentary secretary Dean Del Mastro for election fraud. Del Mastro is appealing his conviction.
     
    In Carson's case, the Tories have pointed out the allegations against him came to light after he had left the Prime Minister's Office.
     
    Carson has denied doing anything illegal and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. None of the allegations against him have been proven in court.
     
    His lawyer, Patrick McCann, says the trial, which was previously delayed as Carson dealt with some personal health issues, has been trimmed to a single day, down from an originally planned six days, under an agreement with the Crown to base it on transcripts of witness testimony already obtained at a preliminary hearing.
     
    Those transcripts are in the hands of the judge, said McCann, who predicted the case won't draw the same kind of media attention that was attracted by the Duffy trial.
     
    "I suspect it won't be quite as large (a media presence)," said McCann.
     
    "I'm sure there'll be a few cameras around."
     
    The influence peddling charge against Carson is related to his work with a company that employed his girlfriend, which was hoping to sell water purification equipment to First Nation communities.
     
    He is alleged to have directed that 20 per cent of any revenue gained through the sale of the water-filtration systems go to his then-fiancee, Michele McPherson.
     
    It was Harper's office that first called in the RCMP after the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network reported that Carson had allegedly been lobbying Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the then-minister's office on behalf of the now-bankrupt Ottawa-based H2O Water Professionals (H2O Pros).
     
    Revelations that subsequently emerged about Carson, including his criminal record and disbarment by the Law Society of Upper Canada — which he disclosed when he was hired by the Prime Minister's Office — prompted opposition questions about whether the PMO was conducting adequate security screening of its staff.
     
    Carson had worked in politics for decades and was one of the more experienced hands in Harper's government when it came to power in 2006. Carson had also worked for Harper as his policy and research director when the Conservatives were in opposition.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    David McGill Accused Of Stealing Mail From Chilliwack Community Mailboxes Faces Charges

    David McGill Accused Of Stealing Mail From Chilliwack Community Mailboxes Faces Charges
    CHILLIWACK, B.C. — Theft of mail from four community mailboxes in Chilliwack, B.C., has led to the arrest of a 33-year-old man.

    David McGill Accused Of Stealing Mail From Chilliwack Community Mailboxes Faces Charges

    Final Campfire Bans Lifted In B.C. As Wetter Conditions And Cooler Nights Return

    Final Campfire Bans Lifted In B.C. As Wetter Conditions And Cooler Nights Return
    VANCOUVER — For the first time in months, campfires are permitted across British Columbia.

    Final Campfire Bans Lifted In B.C. As Wetter Conditions And Cooler Nights Return

    Woman Who Assaulted Calgary Cab Driver With Bag Of Vomit Is 33-Year-Old Indo-Canadian

    Selena Narayan-Lachapelle, 33, will appear in court on October 14, Calgary Herald newspaper reported on Wednesday.

    Woman Who Assaulted Calgary Cab Driver With Bag Of Vomit Is 33-Year-Old Indo-Canadian

    Metro Vancouver Eases Water Restrictions, Law Sprinkling Permitted Again

    Metro Vancouver Eases Water Restrictions, Law Sprinkling Permitted Again
    Metro Vancouver, the authority that governs water use for 21 local cities and municipalities, has downgraded its water restrictions to Stage 2.

    Metro Vancouver Eases Water Restrictions, Law Sprinkling Permitted Again

    Another Delay In Case Of Richard Henry Bain Charged In 2012 Quebec Election Shooting

    Another Delay In Case Of Richard Henry Bain Charged In 2012 Quebec Election Shooting
    MONTREAL — There's been yet another delay in the case of the man charged with murder in Quebec's 2012 election shooting.

    Another Delay In Case Of Richard Henry Bain Charged In 2012 Quebec Election Shooting

    B.C. Moves To Recall Smirnoff Ice Coolers After Canada-Wide Warning Issued

    B.C. Moves To Recall Smirnoff Ice Coolers After Canada-Wide Warning Issued
    Smirnoff's supplier Diageo Canada voluntarily recalled several of the alcoholic drinks last week because of the possibility they may contain small pieces of glass.

    B.C. Moves To Recall Smirnoff Ice Coolers After Canada-Wide Warning Issued