Some of the gold rings referenced in a stunning audit of the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature have begun turning up, although many never wound up on the fingers of legislators.

Auditor General John Noseworthy's investigation of spending at the house of assembly — which has shocked political circles and cost one politician his cabinet post — found that the legislature paid for 79 gold rings for MHAs at a cost of $750 each, plus tax.

Liberal leader Gerry Reid saw nothing wrong about six years ago when he was approached about the purchase of a customized gold ring.
(CBC)

Noseworthy's staff also found that more than $2.6 million was spent on hundreds of thousands of novelty items, such as fridge magnets and lapel pins, from three companies: Zodiac Agencies, JAS Enterprises, Cedar Scents International.

An additional $170,000 went to Unique Keepsakes, a company tied to Bill Murray, who was suspended last week as the house's director of financial operations.

While Noseworthy's staff could not find proof that the trinkets ever existed, some of the rings have since been found, including at least one given as a gift to an employee at the legislature.

Some politicians say they were unaware of the rings' existence until this week.

"I've never received a gold ring, and if you find an expense claim that has my name on it, it would have to have been forgery," said Deputy Premier Tom Rideout.

Liberal Leader Gerry Reid said he received one of the rings through Murray about six years ago.

"It was the director of finance for the house of assembly, and if he thought that it was acceptable, then I didn't see a problem with it," said Reid.

"Now, in hindsight, if we knew then what we know today, then obviously I would have found it unacceptable," he added. "But, at that time, I didn't think anything of it."

Reid, who would not identify other MHAs who have rings, assumes that his ring was paid through his constituency allowance, but admits he is not sure.

On Thursday afternoon, Reid issued a release indicating that at least six members of his 11-member caucus had received rings.

The rings were purchased from Zodiac Agencies and Noseworthy's audit found that no tenders were ever issued for the goods.

In total, the gold rings cost taxpayers $69,000. Speaker Harvey Hodder says the quality of the jewelry did not impress him.

"I don't know why anybody would want to wear these gaudy looking rings, but that's their business," Hodder said.

After the audit revealed the ring issue earlier this week, Hodder said, an employee at the house dusted off a box she received about two years ago.

"This was a ring that was presented to her by Mr. Murray free of charge, and left on her desk as a gift to her," Hodder said.

Murray, who went on medical leave earlier this month, was suspended last week. His lawyer, Averill Baker, said her client is being made a scapegoat.

Meanwhile, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said it is expanding its investigation of spending at the legislature to include Noseworthy's report on payments to suppliers.

The RNC opened its investigation last week, after Noseworthy revealed that Ed Byrne — who resigned June 21 as natural resources minister and government house leader — had claimed more than 10 times his limit in constituency allowances.

Bob Ridgley, a Tory backbencher who represents the district of St. John's North, has never seen one of the rings, but says the auditor general's investigation has cast a cloud over the entire legislature.

"This is disturbing," Ridgley said.

"Everyone is affected by the whole thing, just as a family would be affected by something unfortunate that happened to one of its members."