The lawyer representing a Canadian Senator charged with criminal fraud, breach of trust and bribery charges says he hopes to get an early trial for Senator Mike Duffy. Donald Bayne says his client might waive a preliminary hearing in order to expedite a trial.
Bayne said Senator Duffy’s health, which he said “is a factor in all this” explains why his client wants to get on with the trial. The Senator has had two open heart surgeries.
The charges against the senator involve a $90,000 personal cheque last year from Nigel Wright, the then Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to cover disputed travel expenses made by the Senator.
Initially the Prime Minister praised his Chief of Staff when the payment became public. When Wright resigned, the Prime Minister distanced himself from the payment, and said he knew nothing about it.
The controversy over the payment has been repeatedly raised in the House of Commons.
A federal election is scheduled next year in October, 2015.
More information:
Toronto Star – Mike Duffy’s lawyer presses for early trial on fraud charges – here
CBC News – Mike Duffy trial won’t be run as a ‘political vendetta,’ lawyer says – here
RCI – Official Opposition wants answers from Canada’s federal police, re PM’s former chief of staff – here
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.