Byrne's claims exceeded limit 10-fold: audit

A politician who has resigned his Newfoundland and Labrador cabinet seat submitted claims worth more than 10 times the amount to which he was entitled, an auditor general's report says.

Ed Byrne stepped down Wednesday as Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources minister, after Auditor General John Noseworthy advised officials, including Premier Danny Williams, about Byrne's use of constituency allowances.

• EARLIER COVERAGE: Byrne resignation rocks political circles

Noseworthy's audit found Byrne had signed and submitted claims for $358,142 during the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years, or more than $326,000 above his $31,500 limit.

Constituency allowances are given to members of the provincial legislature to pay for such items as office rental, supplies and miscellaneous services. They vary from member to member, depending on the size of their district and distance from the capital. Byrne represents the St. John's-area district of Kilbride.

Noseworthy said he brought his concerns to the provincial cabinet after Byrne could not give what Noseworthy called a reasonable response to substantiate the claims, which are administered by officials of the house of assembly.

Noseworthy said the overspending could not have happened without accounting staff from the legislature knowing about it.

"It seems to me that there had to be some sort of collusion at the house in order for claims of this magnitude to be processed The [Royal Newfoundland Constabulary], who now have the file will have to look into that and make that determination," Noseworthy said.

Noseworthy who is also examining spending by other MHAs said some spending reports tabled in the legislature were false.

"The whole house of assembly has been misled with regards to how much money has been spent by certain members of the house of assembly," Noseworthy told a briefing.

Byrne's resignation led to a stunning news conference Wednesday night, when a solemn Williams revealed the investigation. Williams, who said the matter has been turned over to justice officials, said Byrne can return to cabinet if he is cleared.

Noseworthy confirmed Thursday that three other politicians one current Liberal MHA, a former Liberal MHA and a sitting New Democrat are being investigating for overspending on their constituency allowances.

In total, Noseworthy whom Williams empowered to examine spending by politicians, after the Tories won the 2003 provincial election said claims filed by the four politicians together exceed $1 million.

Noseworthy will not name the other politicians until he finishes those reports.

"What we're seeing here is an end of an era and I don't think this sort of era will come again," Noseworthy said.

"This is over, I think."

Byrne, who was first elected in 1993, is a former party leader and had been the government house leader for almost three years.

Byrne did not comment Thursday. However, his lawyer, Bob Simmonds, said Byrne is anxious to get to the bottom of the matter.

"Worried would be an understatement," said Simmonds, describing Byrne's reaction.

"These are very troubling allegations and the prudent, appropriate way to deal with them is find out what exactly the allegations are and make an appropriate response," said Simmonds, who added Byrne is hoping the investigation can proceed as quickly as possible.