Former political aide to B.C. Liberals charged with Elections Act offences
A special prosecutor tasked with investigating a controversial campaign to woo ethnic voters to the B.C. Liberal Party has approved Elections Act charges though the allegations relate to a 2012 by-election and the full investigation of the ethnic outreach program wont be complete until next year.
The Criminal Justice Branch on Monday announced charges against Brian Bonney, a former government communications director, and Mark Robertson, a Liberal Party employee. Charges were also approved against a numbered corporation.
A copy of the sworn information alleges political contributions and expenses contravened the Elections Act. The information says the contributions and expenses involved a campaign employee.
On September 5, 2014, [special prosecutor David] Butcher advised the Criminal Justice Branch that he had approved charges against the above noted individuals and corporation, a statement read.
The evidence in support of these charges was gathered during the course of the investigation for which [Mr.] Butcher has been providing assistance in the form of legal advice to investigators.
The branch said Mr. Butchers investigation into the ethnic outreach program as a whole is expected to run until early 2015.
Once the investigation is complete and Mr. Butcher has reviewed the whole of the material provided by police, he will release the results of any decisions that he makes, the statement read.
Jillian Stead, a B.C. Liberal Party spokeswoman, said the issue relates to financial reporting.
In November, 2013, it was brought to our attention that the party had misreported a $2,240 expenditure related to the 2012 Port Moody Coquitlam by-election, she wrote in an e-mail.
Liberal Premier Christy Clarks office referred a request for comment back to the party.
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Former political aide to B.C. Liberals charged with Elections Act offences