Crown seeking jail sentence, but open to house arrest for former B.C. clerk of the legislature
One of the biggest spending scandals in the history of B.C. politics is nearing its conclusion as a court heard sentencing recommendations for the former clerk of the legislature.
Crown counsel revealed Monday that it seeks a conditional sentence – a jail sentence served at home instead of behind bars – of about a year for Craig James. Its argument is that the sentence would serve as a "deterrent" for future officials entrusted to the public.
The Crown suggested the majority of that sentence would be served under house arrest, and the rest would be under a curfew. t's also seeking a $1,886.72 restitution order.
Crown attorney Brock Martland said the conduct of the now-71-year-old was a "departure" by the most senior officer of the legislature, and that there are "real risks of undermining public confidence" tied to the case.
He said the sentence could increase public cynicism about the institutions of government, and he noted that James did not plead guilty, unlike what is often seen in cases where conditional sentences are granted.
The defence is seeking a conditional discharge, with lawyer Gavin Cameron arguing incarceration would be a "disproportionate response" to the conviction.
He pushed for 12 months of probation and 150 hours of community service, saying James has already been "tried and convicted in the court of public opinion."
"His reputation was destroyed in an instant and it will never be recovered," he said, asking the judge to take into the account the stigma James faced before his trial because of the public nature of his case.
Cameron said that will serve as more of a deterrent for other public officials than jail time.
He also urged the judge to take into account James's age and that he's a first-time offender who lost his job and his reputation.
Earlier this year, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled that James spent taxpayer dollars on personal expenses during his time as a high ranking public official.
He was found guilty of breach of trust and fraud in May.
The judge said he breached the standard of conduct expected of him when he claimed expenses for dress shirts, a tie and a suit worth $1,800, which he claimed as chamber attire. Numerous other items such as gift shop purchases and alcohol were also expensed, but the judge found it's possible they were gifts or legitimate work costs.
James was cleared on three other counts including one related to a $258,000 retirement benefit.
He was removed from office and suspended with pay in 2018, then resigned the following year while an investigation into his conduct was still underway.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.