Hurlburt to plead guilty
Posted Feb 23, 2012 10:41:19 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
One of four Nova Scotia politicians charged in a legislative spending scandal is expected to plead guilty to charges of fraud and breach of trust at his next court appearance.
The lawyer for former Yarmouth MLA Richard Hurlburt told a Supreme Court judge Thursday his client is prepared to plead guilty to the two more significant charges against him, and he asked that the case be transferred to Yarmouth for a hearing on April 12.
“Yarmouth is where Mr. Hurlburt is from. It’s where he lives. It’s where he’s worked. It’s the appropriate place for him to be sentenced,” said defense lawyer Stan MacDonald. “The best course of action is to plead guilty. As I said, he’s always accepted responsibility.”
The Crown has agreed to withdraw the three remaining charges of uttering forged documents.
Hurlburt was one of three former members of the legislative assembly and one sitting MLA who were charged following an Auditor General’s report into questionable expenses and a subsequent RCMP investigation.
Former Cape Breton West MLA Russell MacKinnon faces eight counts of uttering forged documents, one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust.
Former Glace Bay MLA Dave Wilson pleaded guilty to uttering forged documents, fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.
The current MLA for Dartmouth North, Trevor Zinck, is charged with theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.
