Craig James, the suspended clerk of the legislative assembly, allegedly intervened and shut down an investigation into travel and meal expense violations by former Speaker Linda Reid on the basis that “we will all wear it” if it came to light.
In a special report Monday, Speaker Darryl Plecas outlined how James “shut down” a whistleblower’s claim of improper billing of travel and meal expenses to the legislature — the provincial parliament managed by James.
Speaker of the House Linda Reid and Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Craig James on Nov.23, 2013. Photo from Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Flikr account.
Plecas’ report to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee concerning allegations of financial misconduct by James and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz, does not explicitly name Reid. Rather it refers to “the MLA.”
But travel expense documents concerning “the MLA” in Plecas’ report (dubbed exhibit 23) align exactly with Reid’s public disclosures on the government website, making it clear that the report was referring to her. It’s not clear why Plecas redacted only portions of the documents.
Reid, MLA for Richmond South Centre, would not comment on Plecas’ report Tuesday, on grounds the matter of financial misconduct in the legislature is under an RCMP investigation. She also did not respond Wednesday to address the expense allegations.
Reid did, however, say “I am encouraged to see the Legislative Assembly Management Committee unanimously approve a comprehensive financial audit of the issues raised in the report from the Speaker. The BC Liberal Caucus has been calling for this action for months, and it is critical for the public’s confidence in their Legislature that we receive an accurate and independent review of spending.
“As the auditor conducts their investigation, I will make myself fully available. I will work with the auditor and any other investigators to ensure the protection of taxpayer dollars. I feel it’s important to respect the process of the current investigations in order to ensure the public is provided with a full account of the entire situation.”
If the allegations are proven correct, it should raise more significant questions as to how exactly James and Reid conducted themselves during Reid’s term from 2013 to 2017.
The report outlines how Reid’s now former legislative assistant came to the speaker’s office in spring 2018 to inform Plecas, via advisor Alan Mullen, that he was being forced by Reid to file improper expense claims. Thereafter, James is said to have caught wind of the claims, which Lenz initially intended on pursuing.
While on a business trip to China in early June, Plecas asserts in his report that James said “we will all wear it” if Reid’s travel expenses were investigated.
On June 18 the assistant — who had been fired on May 31 for supposed budgetary reasons — wrote to Plecas informing him that deputy Sergeant-at-Arms Randy Ennis (whom the assistant had met with previously to discuss the expenses) called him to report that his claims had been investigated and were not substantiated.
“AB (the assistant) had questioned how that could be the case since AB had submitted the expense claims. AB said he did not receive answers that made any sense,” stated Plecas in the report.
Meanwhile, Plecas claimed deputy clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd told him that James had travelled to Vancouver on June 20 to meet with former Attorney General Geoff Plant about how to “rein in Gary and ensure he wouldn’t be conducting investigations in the future.”
Plecas reported he advised the executive financial officer of the legislature, who “reviewed the matter, and agreed that there was cause for concern, which she proposed to deal with by speaking to the MLA informally.”
Plecas claims Ennis “could not provide a rational scenario as to how the expense claims that were submitted could otherwise be justified.”
Plecas’ report suggests that the assistant was terminated for raising the travel expenses to the legislature.
The travel and meal receipts are for relatively small sums — claiming both taxis and car mileage to get to and from the airport and claiming full day per diems when meals were provided at meetings — compared to Reid’s earlier improper claim of her husband’s expenses for a trip to Africa, or her past office expenses, which garnered significant public interest.
But more “troubling” to Plecas was “Mr. James’ suggestion that, if the matter came to light, it would have broader negative ramifications, together with his claim to have suppressed an internal investigation into a genuine issue raised in good faith by a concerned employee.”
Plecas’ report indicates James may not have acted in the non-partisan manner expected of a clerk.
“Multiple witnesses (including Mr. Lenz…) have informed the Speaker of their view that Mr. James was aligned with the BC Liberals,” the report notes.
He added James’ June 2, 2011, appointment as clerk was questioned by opposition NDP members because it was not subject to a competition.
Over an 18-month period since Plecas took office, records showed James met numerous times with BC Liberals such as Plant, former premier Christy Clark, former finance minister Mike de Jong, the eventual party president Paul Barbeau, and past speaker Bill Barisoff.
James and Lenz have been suspended with pay since Nov. 20, when they were marched out of the legislature under police escort amid the cloud of a criminal investigation.
Among the report’s allegations are: a questionable retirement allowance; improper use of vacation time; expensing family-related travel costs; excessive spending and improper business expense claims for personal use; and unnecessary junkets.
The whistleblower revelations led to Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver Wednesday to call for Reid’s resignation as deputy speaker.
“Our focus at this time must be on restoring public trust in our democratic institutions,” Weaver said. “I cannot see how that is possible when one of the individuals named by this whistleblower is still holding a position of power and oversight in the Legislature.
In a joint statement Monday, James and Lenz said Plecas’ allegations against them are “false and untrue.” They said Plecas has harmed their families by preparing a report in secret to “further blacken our reputations.”
Plecas did not responded to a request for comment Tuesday.
-With files from the Times Colonist and Jeremy Hainsworth
