Zinck speaks, says NDP is smearing him
Posted Apr 12, 2010 01:43:07 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Former NDP MLA Trevor Zinck says he’s been the victim of a smear campaign by the NDP government and denies claims the he stole money from his friend’s credit card to pay for online gambling.
Speaking on News 95.7’s Maritime Morning the embattled Dartmouth North politician says he was kicked out of the NDP caucus because he planned to publicly question its commitment to an anti-poverty agenda.
Zinck says he was a member of a group of backbenchers concerned about the NDPs lack of support for the poor.
“Openly it was expressed to senior policy adviser Rick Williams, deputy minister Judith Ferguson, ten or twelve of us who are really concerned,” said Zinck during his hour-long interview.
He says he was singled out to send a message to the others.
As for allegations that Zinck stole thousands of dollars from a friend’s credit card to support his online gambling habit, he says those are false.
Zinck admitted that he gambled online at home with Scott Marshall, a longtime friend with cerebral palsy who was once in his care. However, Zinck says he never used Marshall’s card without his knowledge and that Marshall is being manipulated.
“I am willing to and have paid back anything that we agreed upon,” said Zinck.
Zinck also claims Marshall’s mother was paid to tell the media about his gambling problems and suggests she may be the one responsible for racking up Marshall’s credit card.
“His mother had a habit of calling every year in December for loans and it was through the credit card that he’d only be able to do that,” he said. “She had borrowed at that time over $1000 never paid back.”
Marshall’s mother, Helena McLeod, says she was never offered any money, nor was she manipulated.
“I haven’t heard a word from the NDP, or Trevor Zinck,” said McLeod. “I have not had any contact with anybody.”
McLeod also disputes Zinck’s claim he doesn’t owe her son Scott any money. She says she has the proof he still owes about $7,000. She says Zinck is just trying to find someone other than himself to blame for the mess he is in.
McLeod says they are now considering bringing the matter to police.
