National

Mike Duffy's Former Executive Assistant Tells Of Office Procedures

The Canadian Press, 09 Jun, 2015 11:36 AM

OTTAWA — Mike Duffy's former executive assistant is testifying again today at the trial of the embattled senator.

Melanie Mercer, a former political staffer, worked for Duffy following his 2009 Senate appointment until he was suspended from the upper chamber in 2013.

Mercer has testified on a practice in Duffy's office, which involved having the senator sign blank travel claims.

She says two aides from other senator's offices suggested this strategy as they showed her the ropes.

Mercer told court she thought the procedure was very practical and she didn't think anything of it at the time.

Duffy has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Family of 3 slain children fears father who killed them remains high-risk

COQUITLAM, B.C. — The family of three murdered B.C. children whose father stabbed and smothered them fears he will unleash harm in the community if he is granted limited release, despite his psychiatrist's assurances.

Family of 3 slain children fears father who killed them remains high-risk

B.C. man accused of terrorism didn't want to die a martyr, trial hears

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia man accused of plotting to bomb the provincial legislature on Canada Day told an undercover RCMP officer that he didn't wish to die a martyr because he wanted to continue his mission, his trial has heard.

B.C. man accused of terrorism didn't want to die a martyr, trial hears

Slain B.C. woman's family fights for custody of her three children

HOPE, B.C. — The brother of a woman killed last year says he and his wife are struggling to gain custody of his sister's three children in foster care.

Slain B.C. woman's family fights for custody of her three children

Tim Hortons co-founder, son, sued for $5.75M for alleged sex assault on yacht

TORONTO — The billionaire co-founder of the Tim Hortons chain is among the targets of a lawsuit that alleges his son sexually and physically assaulted a woman on his luxury megayacht in Florida, according to her unproven statement of claim.

Tim Hortons co-founder, son, sued for $5.75M for alleged sex assault on yacht

Canadian reported in custody in drowning of boy, 4, at St. Lucia beach

VIEUX FORT, Saint Lucia — A man reported to be Canadian is in custody in connection with the drowning of a young boy at a beach in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia.

Canadian reported in custody in drowning of boy, 4, at St. Lucia beach

PM and Bill Gates discuss keeping maternal and child health a world priority

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates are urging the world to keep the issue of maternal, newborn and child health as a development priority.