Zeisman vows to step down if convicted
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 | 12:19 PM ET
CBC News
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But he says he's still running to win in the riding, which has been strongly Conservative for years.
- FROM JAN. 17, 2006: Disowned B.C. candidates soldier on
Speaking from his hospital bed, Zeisman apologized to the people of his riding, his campaign team, and the Conservative party – saying he betrayed their trust by failing to disclose that he's "under investigation for six charges under the federal Customs Act."
Harper announced last week that Zeisman will not be allowed to sit as a Conservative unless all charges are cleared.
Zeisman says he's confident he will be fully exonerated when his case goes to court after the election.
But he says if he is elected and then found guilty, he'll resign.
"If I am elected by the good people of this riding on Jan. 23, and I am not exonerated of those charges, if I am found guilty of those charges, then I will be quite ready and willing to step down and allow a byelection to be called."
Zeisman says his lawyer has advised him not to say more about the charges against him, or his reasons for keeping quiet about them in the first place.
He won't be doing much campaigning in the next few days, as he's still recuperating in hospital from a serious car crash in December.
