The trial of disgraced senator Mike Duffy resumes this week in Ottawa after a seven-week break. It could have a profound effect on Canada’s upcoming election.
Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, is expected to testify on Wednesday, about a $90,124.24 payment to Mr. Duffy, who was appointed to the Senate by Mr. Harper and was a long-time fund-raising machine for the Tories.
Mr. Duffy, a former Ottawa reporter, commentator and political show host, for both the CBC and CTV networks, has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery related to expenses he claimed as a senator and later repaid with money from Mr. Wright.
Mr. Wright, who has publicly acknowledged giving Mr. Duffy the money, has said his only motive was to ensure that Canadian taxpayers did not have to repay the money.
Some observers are questioning the Crown’s approach even before Mr. Wright testifies, wondering how Mr. Duffy could be charged with bribery but not Mr. Wright.
For his part, Mr. Harper has denied any advance knowledge of a the cheque Mr. Wright wrote to Mr. Duffy.
Former Conservative government Senator, Mike Duffy, arrives for his first court appearance at the courthouse in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Duffy faces allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Photo Credit: Justin Tang/CP
RCMP documents filed in court showed Mr. Wright had sent emails to a lawyer and PMO staffers, telling them that a plan devised to have Mr. Duffy pay back his expenses had been given the green light by the prime minister.
But on Sunday Mr. Harper said that he never told Mr. Wright he was, “good to go” to write the cheque.
In 2012, Mr. Duffy was one of four senators accused of claiming primary residency outside of Ottawa in order to claim living expenses for work in Ottawa.
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