Mike Duffy trial: Senator's friend Gerald Donohue defends credentials

Gerald Donohue, who received $65,000 in contracts from Senator Mike Duffy, had experience as a union representative, human resources professionaland contract negotiator that qualified him to serve as a consultant to Duffy, an Ottawa court heard Wednesday.

Recapping Donohue'sdecades of work experience, defence lawyer Donald Baynesaidthe Crown had focused on the facts he only earned a Grade 10 education and had worked as a television technician. But Bayne chronicled a series ofprofessional and political roles he held over thecourse of his career.

• TESTIMONY RECAP: Mike Duffy Trial, Day 50
• Crown grills Donohue over contracts, cheques
• Donohue and the $64K question

Bayne asked Donohue if he had the management and administrative expertise to qualify him for consultant contracts with Duffy.

"Well I would certainly think so," he responded.

Donohue, who testified by video link from his home in Carp, Ont., due to various health conditions, told the court he served as a regional union representative, a Liberal Party riding president andan industrial relations consultant for CTV during the 1988 Calgary Olympics. He was designated as a Canadian Human Resources Professional in 1990 and rose up the ranksto became director of human resources for Ottawa television station CJOH.

Donohuesaid he also actedas an "agent" for Duffy as he negotiated terms with a radio station, including details on program content, pay structure and benefits.

Duffy came to relyon his experience and trusthis judgment, he said.

RCMP didn't ask about credentials

Donohue said the RCMP did not ask about his credentials when they carried out interviews during the course of the investigation into Duffy.

The RCMP has alleged that Donohue received the $65,000 in contracts for "little or no apparent work."

During the Crown's examination, Donohue was short on details about services he provided to Duffy.Bayneasked today if ailing health isa factor in his ability to recollect details of the work done for Duffy.

"I believe it is," he said.

Donohue said he spent more than 100 hours a year in telephone conversations with Duffy discussing ideas and giving advice. He spent another 50 hours or more doing web-based research related to aging, seniors andorgan transplants, he told court.

Baynealso presented a series ofemailsbetween Donohueandother parties who provided services toDuffy, includingauthor and broadcasterL. IanMacDonald, discussing work to be done.

He also noted that theservice contract between Duffy and Donohue was extremely broad, allowing for general advice and counsel and "any other duties that arise." But all his duties were related to parliamentary functionsandSenate officials never questioned the terms or payments, Donohuetestified.

Donohue issued cheques

In previous testimony in the Ontario Court of Justice, Donohuesaidhe was paid to serve as a "consultant" to Duffy, but also carried out administrative duties that included issuingchequesto third partieson behalf of the senator.

He issued those cheques from the companies owned by hiswife Gail and son Matt, Maple Ridge Media and Ottawa ICF, even though he had no cheque-writing authority for them.

Donohue also testified that in 2011, he began receiving $2,000 cheques monthly, because they were having "difficulty" getting lump sums in a timely manner from the Senate.Donohuesaid he carried out research on aging, mostly by searching on theinternet, and for a project on "Why I'm a Conservative."

The Crown has alleged Duffy signed contractswithDonohueas a way to funnel cash to certain contractors, some of whom provided services considered inappropriate or inadmissible under Senate rules.

Duffy, now on a paid leave of absence from the Senate pending the outcome of court proceedings, has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery related to expense claims and office budgets.

Donohue is expected to wrap up his testimony on Friday afternoon.

Liberal-appointed Senator George Furey is expected to be the Crown's last witness and is slated to be in the witness box next Tuesday.

There is no confirmation yet on when Duffy will testify when the defence begins its case.

Mike Duffy and his lawyer Donald Bayne leave court today

9 years ago

Duration 0:51

Mike Duffy and his lawyer Donald Bayne leave court today

Not seeing the blog? Follow it here.