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."
The Canada Border Services Agency issued a notice of procurement today inviting 15 firms to submit proposals for immediately setting up an Office of Biometrics and Identity Management.
Officers were responding to a call of a man with a gun at around 11:15 p.m. on June 4. While driving, they collided with a transit bus near East 41st Avenue and Dumfries Street. Both officers were extracted from their vehicle by firefighters and paramedics and taken to hospital.
Investigators believe the suspect’s vehicle, a silver SUV with a sun roof, drove east on Kent Avenue after the shots were heard. Police are looking for the three people who were seen inside that vehicle.
This complex investigation has resulted in the arrests of several people, the execution of numerous search warrants, and the seizure of illegal and potentially deadly drugs, as well as firearms, cash and vehicles.
