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UPDATE 1-Canadian senator acquitted in high-profile fraud trial

Published 2016-04-21, 05:27 p/m
© Reuters. UPDATE 1-Canadian senator acquitted in high-profile fraud trial

(Adds details, background)
OTTAWA, April 21 (Reuters) - Canadian Senator Mike Duffy was
acquitted of fraud and bribery charges on Thursday, marking the
end of a high-profile political trial that contributed to the
defeat of the ruling Conservative government last year.
Duffy, a former television journalist, had faced 31 criminal
charges related to roughly C$90,000 ($71,000) in expenses he
charged after former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper
appointed him to the Senate, the upper chamber of Parliament, in
late 2008.
The trial started last August, shortly after Harper had
launched an election campaign.
The court heard that Harper's chief of staff, Nigel Wright,
had pressed Duffy to repay the expenses, even though Wright felt
they were most likely legal. Evidence also showed Harper's team
had given orders to the Senate, which is supposed to be
independent.
Duffy chose to be tried without a jury. In a 308-page
ruling, Judge Charles Vaillancourt said he found the senator to
be a credible witness and strongly criticized Harper's aides for
their behavior.
As the case progressed amid enormous media coverage last
year, polls showed the Conservatives starting to lose support.
Justin Trudeau's Liberals won a majority in the federal election
on Oct. 19.
($1=$1.27 Canadian)

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