Judge delays Hurlburt decision
CBC News
Posted: Jul 5, 2012 5:51 PM AT
Last Updated: Jul 5, 2012 9:13 PM AT
Former MLA Richard Hurlburt leaving court Thursday. (CBC)A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has reserved his decision in the sentencing of former MLA, Richard Hurlburt, who pleaded guilty in the province's expense claim scandal.
Hurlburt will be sentenced on July 27.
Hurlburt, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister under premiers John Hamm and Rodney Macdonald, pleaded guilty to the charges of fraud and breach of trust in April.
Hurlburt addressed the court on Thursday and apologized to voters and his family.
Crown lawyer Andrew Macdonald told the court Hurlburt submitted false expense claims totalling over $25,000 over two years.
The Crown said there were four false claims between December 2006 and 2008, one for a television, another for a generator and two for renovations.
Macdonald said he wants the former Nova Scotia cabinet minister to serve nine months in jail.
"Mr. Hurlburt, as I see it, was taking advantage of a system," said MacDonald.
In court Macdonald said Hurlburt was motivated by greed.
Hurlburt's lawyer, Stan MacDonald, argued his client should not be jailed, in part, because he repaid all the money.
Hurlburt and three others were charged in 2010 following an investigation into MLA spending between July 2006 and June 2009.
The provincial auditor general found a number of questionable constituency expense claims.
Purchases like an espresso maker and custom-made furniture were deemed excessive and inappropriate.
Share Tools
Latest Nova Scotia News Headlines
- Chained-teen's mom wants man who pleaded guilty 'to suffer'
- The mother of a teen who was chained up and sexually assaulted at a Nova Scotia home said after David James Leblanc pleaded guilty to some charges that she wants him "to suffer." more »
- Student survey shows 'concerning' mental health numbers
- A new survey says Nova Scotia students in four selected grades who attend junior and senior high schools were most likely to try alcohol over drugs last year. more »
- Beer, wine should be sold in grocery stores: Tories
- Nova Scotia's Finance Minister says she has no plans to change the province's liquor laws after the Progressive Conservatives called for the sale of alcohol in grocery stores. more »
- Fever medicine for infants, children under recall
- Quality concerns with a Chinese producer of acetaminophen have prompted a recall of four fever medications meant for infants and children. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford fires chief of staff
- A week after bombshell allegations that Toronto Mayor Rob ford was videotaped smoking crack, the mayor's chief of staff was fired and Ford is continuing to stonewall reporters. more »
- 2nd suspect in Tim Bosma murder case to plead not guilty
- The lawyer for Mark Smich says the Oakville, Ont., resident will plead not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Tim Bosma, the Hamilton man who disappeared earlier this month after taking two men on a test drive of his truck. more »
- SNC-Lavalin letter says Gadhafi son offered VP post: RCMP
- SNC-Lavalin's ties to Libya's former dictatorship ran so deep the company offered the son of Moammar Gadhafi a six-figure job as a vice president in 2008, according to a newly unsealed RCMP affidavit. more »
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. more »
- Chained-teen's mom wants man who pleaded guilty 'to suffer'
- Grieving father warns of scam citing N.S. lottery winners
- Electrocution victim remembered by fire chief
- Man charged with drunk driving 2 days in a row
- Beer, wine should be sold in grocery stores: Tories
- Halifax Mooseheads clinch berth in Memorial Cup final
- Allegation that students' mouths were taped shut probed by police
- Atlantic hurricane season forecast to be busy
- Halifax Mooseheads mania in Saskatoon
