The former Clerk of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, accused of misspending public treasury money, was found guilty of fraud and breach of trust.
Craig James has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer based on allegations of unnecessary expenses stemming from his time as clerk between 2011 and 2018.
On Thursday, the judge found him not guilty of all other similar charges related to a $258,000 retirement fund and the use of a wood splitter.
Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes of the Supreme Court of British Columbia said James dishonestly described the clothes he bought as work clothes when he knew they were not. .
Holmes said he breached the standard of conduct expected of a public official and his aim was dishonest for his own gain.
Read more:
Crown lacks evidence to prove charge against former BC Legislative Clerk, defense says
Crown prosecutors argued during the trial that James used his position, which they compared to the CEO of the Legislative Assembly, to take advantage of policy weaknesses to enrich himself.
However, the defense said James was transparent with each of his claims, which were overseen by several responsible individuals who raised only a ‘handful of issues’ over half a decade and never filed a complaint. .
-with files from The Canadian Press
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