OTTAWA — The trial of a former top aide to the prime minister has been told that Bruce Carson exaggerated his abilities to influence the government to purchase water treatment systems for First Nations communities.
Carson is in court charged with influence-peddling.
The case is connected with an Ottawa-based company that employed his girlfriend at the time, a former sex trade worker.
Court is learning that Carson sent emails in early 2011 to the owner of H2O Water Professionals Inc., saying the government was considering several pilot projects that could provide business to the firm.
But Crown prosecutor Jason Nicol says communications from the Aboriginal Affairs Department show no such pilot projects existed.
Carson has pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 121 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits anyone from peddling influence on the government to obtain benefit for themselves or someone else.
The trial, which is expected to wrap up today, has provided more fodder for Stephen Harper's opponents who question the prime minister's judgment when it comes to appointing the people around him.
Carson was a senior adviser to Harper from 2006 — when the Conservatives first took office — until 2008.
Harper asked the RCMP to investigate Carson after media reports surfaced about his involvement with H2O.
The prime minister avoided commenting directly about the trial Monday, saying the case involves accusations about a private citizen who had long ago left his employ.
