Former N.L. civil servant pleads guilty to fraud

Theformer civil servant at the heart of the spending scandal in Newfoundland and Labrador was apologetic after pleading guilty tofraudand three othercharges.

Bill Murraytold a Supreme Court judge in St. John's that "not a day goes by thatI don't regret the bad choices and decisions I have made."

Murraypleaded guilty Tuesday morning tofraud over $5,000 and three counts of accepting rewards, for his role in thescandal thatinvolved millions of dollars in questionable and illegal spending, and has resulted injail terms for a number of former politicians.

Other related charges that he faced were withdrawn.

Murrayhad been chargedwith three other counts of fraud against the government,a chargeformerly known as influence peddling, along with charges of fraud, breach of trust and uttering a forged document.

A statement of facts detailing Murray's crimes, including the revelation that he attempted to commit suicide in June 2006 afterthe scandalbecame public, was presented to the court.

The court document said Murray committed the crimesbetween April 1998 and March 2006.

The Crown and defenceare recommending Murray be sentenced to two years in jail, along with two years'probation after his release.

The court is also being asked that Murray be ordered topay $177,000 in restitution.

Former finance director

Murray was suspended from his job as director of finance at the house of assembly in June 2006, when Auditor General John Noseworthy began releasing a series of explosive reports on spending at the legislature.

After the statement of factswas presented Tuesday,Murray addressed the court and toldthe judge that he accepts full responsibility and offers no excuses for his actions.

He apologizedfor the "hurt" and "shame" he causedhis family and the people of the province.

Murray apologized specifically to John Noel, the former clerk of the house and Murray's former boss,who he said trusted him with overseeing the province's finances.

"I know he trusted me and I let that man down," said Murray, who will be sentenced Feb. 22.

The auditor general's reports ledto criminal charges against Murray and four former politicians Progressive Conservative Ed Byrne, Liberals Wally Andersen and Jim Walsh, and New Democrat Randy Collins. The four were all given sentences ranging from 15 months to two years.

The audits also prompted an overhaul of how the legislature was managed.