Goucher spent money for 'betterment' of residents

The former Tory MLA for Bedford, who spent the most of all MLAs, said everything he bought using taxpayers' money was for the "betterment" of his constituents.

Len Goucher bought 11 computers, five cameras, 12 printers and four video recorders between 2006 and 2009, according to the auditor general's report released nearly two weeks ago.

"As an MLA, everything computers, cameras, video cameras, printers that I purchased was purchased to the betterment of my residents," he said Tuesday.

"I live in a very upwardly mobile, connected community. We had a very technologic, savvy constituency office."

Documents released by the Speaker's office show Goucher bought the items and claimed $29,456.27 for his constituency and $9,237.87 for electronic technology, for a total of $38,694.14.

Goucher held a news conference Tuesday to explain his expenses, but only invited a local weekly newspaper, a private radio station and Global TV.

Global made his statement available to CBC News onWednesday.

At the news conference, Goucher said he was told to use the technology fund by the end of the year, or lose the money.

"Expense items available to us including a yearly $2,500 technology allowance. This money was provided to all MLAs to take advantage of technology outside of and in addition to, the regular office expense payment," Goucher said.

"I'm not going to mince words, we were urged to use it or lose it. I guess it would be fair to say that I was nave in following that advice."

Goucher said he doesn't understand how a receipt for a Dance, Dance Revolution video game for his grandson was submitted as an expense, but says he has already contacted the Speaker's Office to repay that amount.

Interim Progressive Conservative Leader Karen Casey distanced herself from Goucher's comments, saying she was never told to spend all her money or lose it.

"I can tell you that as an MLA, same as Len Goucher was and all MLAs, I was never told that I had to, 'use it or lose it.' So I have no idea what he's talking about there," she said Wednesday.

NDP Deputy premier Frank Corbett also disputed Goucher's claim.

"I realize that, obviously, December 31 was a drop dead date, so to speak. But ,I never discussed it with others and said, 'OK lets spend it like crazy.' No. I guess it was up to individual MLAs," he said.

Corbett also dismissed Goucher's claim that some MLAs referred to their allowances as "back-door funding" for them.

Corbett said he never considered taxpayers' money that way.