Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2022 01:30 PM
VANCOUVER - A special prosecutor says British Columbia's former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in "glaring and egregious" ways.
Brock Martland made the allegation as he began closing arguments in the Crown's case against Craig James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust.
James's defence is expected to present its case Wednesday.
Martland says that as the most senior officer of the legislature, James held a position akin to the CEO and was responsible for financial stewardship of the institution.
He accused James of acting outside of his duties by picking up a wood splitter and trailer for the legislature and storing them at home for a year, exploiting a weakness in the system to award himself a $258,000 retirement benefit and charging souvenirs to the public purse.
Martland says public trust in government officials is a critical part of a functioning democracy, and he alleged that James violated that trust.
"This case is about trust, specifically the public trust that we place in government officials," Martland told the court on Tuesday.
"Our position is that the public trust was violated repeatedly and extensively by Craig James."
Police are investigating a shooting and separate vehicle fire in Surrey, B.C. RCMP say a home and vehicle in the Fleetwood neighbourhood were hit by several bullets just after 9 p.m. Monday.
RCMP say the 42-year-old woman called police late Monday to report she had fled the home after being stabbed, but the child was still in the house. The woman's attacker, who police say is known to the victims, is alleged to have set the home on fire before driving away.
Investigators seized about 13 kilograms of fentanyl, 11 kilograms of crystal meth, eight kilograms of benzodiazepine, and five kilograms of cocaine. Police also seized a hydraulic press, $320,000 in cash, and a firearm.
Mary Simon, an Inuk leader and former diplomat, described her appointment as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role — as a “step forward on the long path to reconciliation.”
The BC Wildfire Service says 212 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as lightning storms swept over several areas of the province. The wildfire service website shows more than three dozen small fires have been sparked across all regions except the Coastal Fire Centre.
