VICTORIA — A special prosecutor is conducting a charge assessment after the RCMP investigated allegations that money was stolen from the constituency office of a member of the British Columbia legislature.
The B.C. Prosecution Service says Robin McFee was appointed as a special prosecutor almost two years ago but the appointment wasn't announced until Thursday because the charge assessment process is now underway in the case.
The service says the acting assistant deputy attorney general appointed McFee on March 20, 2017, to oversee the case in relation to allegations involving the constituency office of John Martin, the Liberal member of the legislature for Chilliwack.
It decided to postpone the announcement of his appointment until the completion of the police investigation and submission of a report to Crown counsel.
Special prosecutors are appointed under the Crown Counsel Act when it is considered in the public interest to do so to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice.
McFee is a lawyer in private practice in Vancouver and was asked to provide legal advice to the RCMP, conduct a charge assessment and the prosecution if charges were to be approved.