Chronology of a scandal: A timeline of the explosive Plecas report

It was about noon on Nov. 20, 2018 when then-Clerk of the House Craig James and Sergeant-At-Arms Gary Lenz were escorted from B.C. Legislature with littlewarning to sitting politicians or the public.

The two top officials shook their heads, clutchingpersonal belongings they'd collected from their offices, and told reporters they had no idea what was going on as they were paradedacross the lawn and off the property.

What was going on, as it became clear, was a scandal.

Lenz and James would go on to become subjects of several investigations, criminal and otherwise, spurred by allegations of outrageous misspending that had been quietly compiled for months by House Speaker Darryl Plecas.

The speaker published his claims in a bombshell report, accusing Lenz and James of spending taxpayer dollars oninappropriate vacations, personal purchases and padded retirement benefits. The report demandeda re-evaluationof spending oversight in the legislature.

Lenz and James would ultimately resign.

This is a chronology of how the scandal unfolded. It will be updated as the story develops.

Sept. 8, 2017

After being courted by the NDP, Darryl Plecasagrees to become Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, effectively firming up the NDP-Green minority government. He is swiftly expelled from the Liberal caucus to sit as an independent, a move that had beenforeshadowed earlier in the summer when he angered many in the party by demanding the resignation of then-leader Christy Clark.

November 2017

Clerk of the House Craig James presentsPlecas with two pieces of paper to sign, granting James and Lenzeacha life insurance policy in the amount of three times their annual salaries. Plecassays he was led to believe that both men were entitled to the benefitand assumed it had been pre-approvedby the Legislative Assembly Management Committee and the Department of Financial Services. He later discovered this was not the case and rescindsthe document.

The meeting is the first of a handful of encounters in which the men asked Plecas to sign off on substantial benefit payouts.

December2017

Plecas, James and Lenztakea 10-day trip to the United Kingdom, Plecas's first trip abroad in the roleof speaker.

According to the Plecas's report, the trip was arranged entirely by James's office. Plecaslater recounts in his report that he was "very surprised by how luxuriously we were travelling and how little we were doing for a work trip."

Later, it is revealed that while travelling on the public's dime, both on this trip and others,James and Lenzwere in the habit of expensing items like expensive suits, luggage and gift-store purchases.

January 2018

Plecas hires friend and former Corrections Canada prosecutor Alan Mullen to act as hisspecial adviser to look into matters of concern in the Legislative Assembly.

August 2018

The speaker, clerk and sergeant-at arms visitEngland again.On this trip, both James and Lenz are accompanied by their wives. In the Plecas report, documents call into question the accuracy of vacation days used, transportation claims and per diems charged by the two men. Eyebrow-raising expenses claimed include asuit, cufflinks and gift store purchases.

Back in Victoria, the speaker's office forwards information gathered in Mullen's investigation to the RCMP.

Nov. 20, 2018

James and Lenz are escorted out of the B.C. Legislature by police and suspended with pay amida cloud of intrigue.Plecas and Mullensay the two men aresubjects of a criminal investigation, but very few details are given.

Nov 26, 2018

James and Lenzhold a newsconference claiming they have done nothing wrong and calling for their suspensions to be reversed immediately.

"Gary and I have been deeply humiliated," said James.

Dec. 6, 2018

Facing an onslaughtof criticism over the suspensionsand the hiring of Mullen,Plecas comments that once a forensic audit is complete, the findings will"outrage taxpayers" and "make them throw up."

Jan. 21, 2019

Plecasreleases his bombshell report into James and Lenz, documenting allegations of lavish trips, problematic expenses, outrageous retirementpayments and cash-for-vacation schemes, among other things.

The reportalso questions the appearance of close ties between the B.C. Liberals andJames, who is supposed to be a nonpartisan officerof the legislature.

The report recommends a forensic audit and workplace review of the Legislative Assembly.

Watch the timeline of events, from when the scandal was first brought to public attention to the day Plecas' scathing 76-page report was released:

How the B.C. Legislature spending scandal unfolded

6 years ago

Duration 3:49

Watch the timeline of events from when the scandal was first brought to public attention until the scathing 76-page report was released.

Jan. 25, 2019

In response to the Plecas report, Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson holds a news conference requesting the Liberals and NDP work together to "clean house" at the legislature.

Premier John Horgancalls the request "offensive,"pointing out that the Liberals were in power during much of the alleged wrongdoing.

Feb. 7, 2019

James and Lenzissue written statements denying all wrongdoing, defending their actions and saying they hope to return to work.

James calls the actions that have been taken against the pair "unfair and prejudicial."

Feb. 21, 2019

Plecas releases a second report, rebutting James and Lenz's defences of their spending.

The new report also details new allegations of overspending, including James's purchases of expensive luggage and other travel expenses.

Mar. 6, 2019

The three House leaders announce the appointment of former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin to investigate allegations of misconduct against James and Lenz.

May 16, 2019

James announces his retirement as McLachlin's report on the scandal is released to the public.

She finds multiple examples of misconduct by the clerk, including his spending on expensive suits and luggage, his creation of retirement benefits for himself and public reimbursement of privateinsurance premiums.

The report clears Lenz of misconduct, though he remains on paid leave while the RCMP investigation and audit are underway.

Oct. 1, 2019

Lenz resigns as sergeant-at-arms, saying the damage done to his reputation is irreparable. A statement says he believes he would be doing a disservice to his office if he continued in his role.

Oct. 2, 2019

Horgan confirms searches are underway for a new clerk of the house and a new sergeant-at-arms.

The premier tells reporters he hopes the legislature "can turn the page" after the scandal in wake of resignations by James and Lenz.

Oct. 8, 2019

A new report from another investigation into Lenz's conduct, pertaining to his role as a special police constable, finds Lenz lied to McLachlinas she conducted her own investigation.

Doug LePard, former deputy chief of the Vancouver Police Department, found Lenzcommitted "very serious misconduct" by submitting untruthful statements to McLachlin. Lenzdenies the findings in "the strongest possible terms."

Nov. 22, 2019

Newly released court documents reveal police are investigating whether the purchase of a wood splitter and trailer by James represented a criminal breach of trust.

Dec. 18, 2020

Crown prosecutors announce James has been criminally charged in connection with the scandal. James is facingfour counts of breach of trust by a public officer and two counts of fraud over $5,000.

Jan. 24, 2022

James's trial for breach of trust begins in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.Jamespleads"not guilty" five times as a court clerk reads aloud the specifics of three charges of breach of trust and two charges of fraud.