B.C. Tory candidate dumped over smuggling charges
Last Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2006 | 11:27 AM ET
CBC News
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said on Thursday that it's too late to replace Derek Zeisman as a candidate, but that he wouldn't be allowed to join the caucus.
"Mr. Zeisman will not be sitting as a Conservative should he be elected," Harper said. "He'll have to get this matter resolved."
Zeisman is running to replace retiring Conservative MP Jim Gouk in the riding of British Columbia Southern Interior. The party found out about the six charges only on Wednesday after it was contacted by the media.
Derek Zeisman (courtesy derekzeisman.com)
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency alleges Zeisman tried to smuggle a 1989 Mercedes-Benz as well as 112 bottles of liquor in July 2004 from the U.S. into Canada. He's also accused of lying to customs officers about the incident.
If convicted, Zeisman could be fined up to $50,000 and face six months in jail.
Zeisman, who is to appear in court next month, did not tell his party about the charges, which he called "unjustified." He said the information was leaked by someone in the government who had a grudge against him.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, Thursday.
Harper said he should have told the party about the charges.
The Tory candidate has worked as a trade commissioner for Industry Canada and a foreign service officer with the Canadian diplomatic corps.
Zeisman has other problems. He's currently in hospital because of a serious car accident just before Christmas.
An NDP candidate running against Zeisman says he couldn't believe the news.
"Shock and surprise. That was my first reaction," says Alex Atamanenko.
Atamanenko says he's alarmed voters were unaware of such a serious allegation about a candidate, less than two weeks before the Jan. 23 election. But he also says it would have been far worse had Zeisman won the seat, and the news came out later.
