Kings MLAs come out clean

BY JENNIFER HOEGG

Kings County Advertiser

Oak furniture, laptops and an espresso machine are among MLA purchases criticized in the provincial auditor general’s report last week.

Jacques R. Lapointe’s document heavily criticizes rules for MLA expense claims, along with double claims, purchases from relatives, multiple claims and personal items identified in the audit.

The audit covered all claims from July 2008 to June 2009, as well as constituency and electronic technology fund claims from July 2006 to June 2009. Lapointe did not name MLAs who submitted questionable expenses, but a number of current and former MLAs have come forward since with apologies and offers of repayment.

Kings County MLAs are not “on the list.” Current NDP MLAs Ramona Jennex and Jim Morton came into office in June 2009, after the auditing period.

Kings West MLA Leo Glavine was out of the province last week, but his office directed calls to the Liberal caucus office. There, director of communications Glennie Langille said, “Leo was not on any list,” even though he was in office through the audited period. “There were four of our members identified, and they have all come forward.”

Former Kings North MLA Mark Parent was also on vacation at press time and his former colleague in Kings South, David Morse, could not be reached for comment. However, Michael Kydd in Progressive Conservative leader Karen Casey’s office confirmed late Feb. 5 neither former Tory was on the list.