Former N.S. premier fesses-up to questionable spending
Posted Feb 5, 2010 05:31:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Former Premier Rodney MacDonald is the latest person to admit to having made questionable purchases with taxpayer money. MacDonald is one of two ex-Tories who have added their names to a growing list of legislative members flagged in a report by the Auditor General’s office this week. The former Inverness MLA has come forward as having purchased a $3,250 projector screen and accessories.
“The projector screen was cleared as an appropriate use of funds at that time,” stated MacDonald in a press release from the Progressive Conservative’s office, February 4. “It was, and still is, being used for business presentations in the community by community members. I am awaiting a response from the Speakers Office to further clarify the expense.”
Former Eastern Shore MLA Bill Dooks has also stepped forward as having purchased a questionable item. He’s been notified $6,234 spent on a website for his constituency office was out of the norm. He too says he’s waiting for confirmation from the Speaker’s office about whether the funds need to be repaid.
PC Interim Leader Karen Casey says there are two other former Tory MLAs who have been notified of further questionable expenses, but she’s not about to comment on those individuals.
“Those members, who are no longer members of the caucus, are not my responsibility as caucus members,” Casey told reporters. “I’m not going to reveal any information about them, who they are or what they bought.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Frank Corbett was the first to offer an apology. He says whenever taxpayers’ money is not used wisely, government is on the hook.
MLA Bill Estabrooks says he’s spoken with his constituency and people are disappointed with members of all political stripes. He says it’s time for government to rebuild people’s faith.
“We have to let the process unfold and hopefully we’ll have a more open and accountable way of doing expenses in future,” said Estabrooks following his weekly cabinet meeting at One Government Place.
