Deputy premier not aware if he's under investigation
Paul Robichaud says he doesn't have 'impression' he's part of obstruction probe by RCMP
CBC News
Posted: Feb 12, 2013 5:36 PM AT
Last Updated: Feb 12, 2013 6:49 PM AT
Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud says he has never met Peter Andrews, the bureaucrat who has been charged. (CBC)New Brunswick Deputy Premier Paul Robichaud says as far as he knows, he's not under investigation for obstruction of justice.
"I don't have any information on that," he said on Tuesday. "I don't have the impression that I'm under investigation, but listen, who knows?"
The RCMP announced on Monday a senior fisheries bureaucrat has been charged with obstructing justice in a case involving Robichaud's brother.
The charge against Peter Andrews, executive director of the corporate services division of the Department of Aquaculture, Agriculture and Fisheries, follows an anonymous letter that accused Robichaud of the same offence.
Sgt. Greg Lupson has declined to say whether anyone else is being investigated.
Robichaud, who has denied allegations that he pressured staff at the fisheries department not to prosecute his brother under the Aquaculture Act, says he has never met Andrews and doesn't know him.
"Those accusations or allegations are not against me or any members of our government," he said.
"It will not be appropriate for me to comment at this time because it's going to be in front of the court," he added.
Robichaud stressed everyone is innocent until proven otherwise.
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions about the official in question," he said in French.
Andrews is scheduled to enter a plea in provincial court on March 1.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Robichaud's brother, Donat Robichaud, pleaded guilty in April to a charge under the Aquaculture Act. He was ordered to pay a $480 fine and a 20 per cent victim fine surcharge.
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