Clear air on audit scandal, politicians plead

Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature feel they are under a cloud of suspicion created by the auditor general's investigation into potential misuse of public funds.

"At the best of times, politicians are not perceived in a great light in this province, and I guess this is giving us a bigger black eye," said Liberal leader Gerry Reid, of a scandal that has now involved the police.

Auditor General John Noseworthy said four politicians including Ed Byrne, who resigned his cabinet seat Wednesday misused money from their constituency allowances.

Noseworthy revealed Thursday that Byrne had submitted claims over a two-year period of $358,142, or more than 10 times the amount to which he was entitled.

• FROM JUNE 22, 2006: Byrne's claims exceeded limit 10-fold: audit

The scandal has rocked politics in Newfoundland and Labrador, partly since Noseworthy's investigation involves representatives of all three parties in the house of assembly.

Noseworthy said he is investigating a Liberal MHA, a former Liberal politician and a sitting member of the New Democratic caucus.

Randy Collins, the NDP representative for Labrador West district, issued a statement Friday afternoon that he has retained legal counsel "to represent him with respect to inquiries by the Auditor General."

His lawyer, Ed Hearn, said Collins is very concerned about the matter.

Noseworthy has not named any of the other parties included in the investigation, which he says involves more than $1 million in unwarranted payments.

On Friday morning, four plainclothes officers with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary visited Noseworthy's office. The police were contacted by provincial justice department officials, who reviewed Noseworthy's findings.

Meanwhile, politicians of different colours said they would like to see the air cleared quickly.

Reid, who said he is not under investigation, said he is not questioning members of his caucus.

He said he is disappointed that Noseworthy has revealed few details to opposition parties, particularly since Williams was informed of the investigation on Wednesday.

"It's a bit difficult when you hear in the media that one of your colleagues has been implicated and you know nothing of it," Reid said.

Jack Harris, the NDP member for Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi, said he has concerns about how information has been released.

"If everybody in the house of assembly or every former member of the house of assembly is going to be included in this suspicion, I think that's very bad for the public process [and] very bad for democracy," Harris said.

NDP leader Lorraine Michael said the party wants a thorough accounting of what has happened.

"Obviously, we as a party and I personally totally believe in openness and accountability on all levels. Nobody is beyond openness and accountability and that includes MHAs," Michael said.

Meanwhile, Noseworthy said he will release a report on Tuesday concerning payments from the house of assembly to suppliers.