No comment on Andersen's future, Reid says

Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberal leader is not commenting on fraud and other charges brought against a sitting member of his caucus.

Wally Andersen was charged Monday with fraud, forgery and breach of trust by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which opened an investigation last summer into the legislative spending scandal that erupted a year ago.

Andersen, who represents the Labrador district of Torngat Mountains, is not commenting publicly on the charges.

Opposition leader Gerry Reid is not commenting either, nor is he saying whether Andersen is still welcome inside the caucus.

While it is unusual for a member of the house of assembly to face criminal charges, nothing requires a member to tender a resignation.

In 1990, Trinity North representative Barry Hynes resigned his seat within days of being charged with indecent assault. He pleaded guilty to one charge several months later.

Andersen announced earlier this month that he will not seek re-election in the general election scheduled for Oct. 9.

Auditor General John Noseworthy released a series of reports during 2006 that showed five politicians, including Andersen, had together received about $1.6 million more than they were entitled to through tax-free constituency allowances.

With Andersen, Noseworthy said the MHA had received $344,465 beyond his allocation between the 1998 and 2006 fiscal years.

The information that the RNC presented to provincial court in St. John's on Andersen's charges shows that the alleged offences occurred between April 1, 1997 and March 31, 2006.

The information does not indicate how much money that police believe was defrauded, other than that the charge is for fraud over $5,000. Other charges include uttering a forged document and breach of trust by a public official.

No contact with finance director

The information also provides more details on the case.

For instance, Andersen has signed a commitment to have no contact with six individuals, who may be witnesses in the case.

One of them is Bill Murray, whom the government suspended as director of financial operations of the house of assembly in June 2006. In the same month, Murray left his post on medical leave.

Noseworthy found that Murray played a central role in questionable payments made to politicians, as well as a series of companies that received about $2.6 million in untendered contracts for things like fridge magnets, lapel pins and gold rings ostensibly made for members of the house.

Murray has not been criminally charged at this time, although the Crown filed a civil claim this spring. Murray filed a statement of defence this month that denied any wrongdoing.

Constituents stand behind Andersen

Meanwhile, some of Andersen's constituents say he continues to receive strong support in the district.

'To me, he's a good man a modern-day Robin Hood.' Constituent Nora Ford

"He was always there for the people," said Nain resident Nora Ford, who sees the charges as an injustice.

"There's something wrong with a system that punishes a man for helping others," said Ford, who acknowledged that she does not know all the facts of the case.

"To me, he's a good man a modern-day Robin Hood."

Nicky Obed, a longtime friend, said the blame for Andersen's involvement in the scandal rests elsewhere.

At Confederation Building in St. John's, reaction has been measured.

"There's very little that can be said by any independent observer," said Intergovernmental Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer. "It's clearly an issue now between the court and the individual."

"Mr. Andersen has a reputation in his district for being a very good district person and I know the people there really respect him," said Sheila Osborne, the Tory representative for St. John's West.

"I'm very saddened by the charges."

Michael Temelini, who teaches political science at Memorial University in St. John's, said the charge may influence public perception of politicians.

"It's a sad and disturbing moment in Newfoundland politics that a sitting member of the house of assembly would be charged," he said.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said its investigation into the legislative spending scandal continues. The RNC said Andersen at this time is the only MHA charged because the team assigned to his case has completed its work.

The RNC will not comment on the likelihood that other individuals will be charged.