No Charges in High-profile Influence Peddling Investigation
Public Prosecution Service
December 17, 2004 11:52 AM
After a lengthy investigation into high-profile allegations of
influence-peddling involving a request for a provincial
government loan, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has
decided not to lay charges.
The commercial crime section of the Nova Scotia RCMP launched a
major investigation five years ago after receiving complaints
that individuals had attempted to illegally influence government
officials into supporting their private business interests.
The RCMP conducted an extensive investigation involving dozens of
interviews and thousands of pages of documentation. In 2003, the
RCMP turned to the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service for
legal advice. Crown attorneys reviewed the material and concluded
the results of the investigation did not warrant going ahead with
a prosecution. The RCMP agreed with that assessment and has
decided not to lay charges.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
After a five year investigation into allegations of
influence-peddling the R-C-M-P has decided not to lay charges.
The investigation was launched following complaints that
individuals had attempted to illegally influence Nova Scotia
government officials into supporting private business interests.
In 2003, the R-C-M-P asked the Nova Scotia Public
Prosecution Service to review the results of the investigation.
Both prosecutors and police agree a prosecution is not warranted.
-30-
Contact: Const. Gary Smith
RCMP
902-426-5120
Cell: 902-222-0154
Chris Hansen
Public Prosecution Service
902-424-2225
Cell: 902-430-5529
E-mail: hansence@gov.ns.ca
jal December 17, 2004 11:52 A.M.
After a lengthy investigation into high-profile allegations of
influence-peddling involving a request for a provincial
government loan, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has
decided not to lay charges.
The commercial crime section of the Nova Scotia RCMP launched a
major investigation five years ago after receiving complaints
that individuals had attempted to illegally influence government
officials into supporting their private business interests.
The RCMP conducted an extensive investigation involving dozens of
interviews and thousands of pages of documentation. In 2003, the
RCMP turned to the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service for
legal advice. Crown attorneys reviewed the material and concluded
the results of the investigation did not warrant going ahead with
a prosecution. The RCMP agreed with that assessment and has
decided not to lay charges.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
After a five year investigation into allegations of
influence-peddling the R-C-M-P has decided not to lay charges.
The investigation was launched following complaints that
individuals had attempted to illegally influence Nova Scotia
government officials into supporting private business interests.
In 2003, the R-C-M-P asked the Nova Scotia Public
Prosecution Service to review the results of the investigation.
Both prosecutors and police agree a prosecution is not warranted.
-30-
Contact: Const. Gary Smith
RCMP
902-426-5120
Cell: 902-222-0154
Chris Hansen
Public Prosecution Service
902-424-2225
Cell: 902-430-5529
E-mail: hansence@gov.ns.ca
jal December 17, 2004 11:52 A.M.