Dirk Meissner
Former clerk of the legislative assembly Craig James makes a statement to the media in Vancouver on Monday November 26, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ben Nelms December 18, 2020 - 1:47 PM
VICTORIA - The former clerk of the British Columbia legislature has been charged with four counts of breach of trust and two counts of fraud in excess of $5,000.
The BC Prosecution Service says in a statement on Friday that two special prosecutors approved the charges against Craig James following an extensive RCMP investigation into the activities of senior staff at the British Columbia legislature.
James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz were suspended from their jobs two years ago and retired in 2019.
Former clerk of the B C legislature faces charges
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Former clerk of the B C legislature faces charges of fraud, breach of trust - Medicine Hat NewsMedicine Hat News
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The RCMP said in November 2018 that it was investigating staff at the legislature, but it did not say who was the subject of the probe.
“The special prosecutors were given a mandate to provide legal advice to the RCMP investigators as may be necessary, conduct any related charge assessment and assume conduct of the prosecution if charges were approved,” the prosecution service says in its statement announcing the charges.
Their appointment was intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice, it says.
After the two men went on leave, former legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas produced a report in January 2019 outlining allegations of misspending at the legislative assembly.
by Charlie Smith on December 18th, 2020 at 11:10 AM 1 of 1 2 of 1
The man who used to oversee staffing at the B.C. legislature is now going to have to answer for his actions in court.
Today, the B.C. Prosecution Service announced that six criminal charges have been laid against Craig James.
James faces one count of breach of trust in connection with obtaining and keeping $257,988.38 for a long-service award.
He also faces breach of trust charges in connection with the purchases of a wood splitter and trailer bought with public funds.
The fourth breach of trust count came from allegedly knowingly submitting travel expense claims and receiving reimbursement for personal travel.