Collins pleads guilty in N.L. spending scandal

One of the former politicians charged in the spending scandal that rocked the province three years ago has pleaded guilty to two fraud charges.

Randy Collins one of four charged in the scandalover questionable spending by members of all three political parties involving millionsof public dollars was in a St. John's courtroom Tuesday, where he admitted to charges of fraud over $5,000 and frauds on the government.

The Crown withdrew charges of breach of trust and uttering forged documents.

Collins and his lawyer left the court without commenting.

He will be back in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador for a sentencing hearing, including the reading of a statement of facts, on Dec. 11.

Collins was the New Democratic member of the house of assembly for Labrador West. He resigned in 2007, a year after being named in the spending scandal.

Reports filed by Auditor General John Noseworthy during 2006 showed that Collins received $358,598 more than he was due from his tax-free constituency allowances.

Collins's spendingwas examined as part of a series of audits that rocked Newfoundland and Labrador political circles to the core.

Noseworthy saidthe politiciansreceived excess payments from their constituency allowances, which are intended to be used to pay for offices, travel, promotional items and other expenses incurred dealing with constituents.