Another ex-MLA a target of expense probe

Another former Nova Scotia MLA is under investigation by the RCMP over questionable expense claims.

Auditor General Jacques Lapointe saidThursday thathe referred a sixth case to the RCMPafter the Speaker's Office came across "possible illegalities"with theclaims.

Lapointe said he was notified of the allegations May 20 but had to review the information before passing it on to police.

RCMP havealready received files related to expense claims of one current legislature memberand four former members. The names of those under investigation and their party affiliations have not been made public by police or Lapointe.

A letter from a member of the public led to the latest investigation, Speaker Charlie Parker said Thursday. Parker saidhe received a letter containing serious allegations about a former MLA and turned it over to the auditor general's office.

Lapointe and his staff found documents that appeared to back up the allegations,Parker said. The file was then turned over to the RCMP on May 31.

Parker said he knows the name of the former MLA, but none of the three party leaders are privy to that information.

Premier disappointed

Premier Darrell Dexter, a New Democrat,said he was disappointed to learn another former MLA is under investigation.

"It's disappointing and my hope is that this will come to an end and that those issues will be resolved and we can get on with what we want to do which is ensure that the attention is on those things which are important to people's lives in the province," he said.

Meanwhile,CBC News has learned that RCMP investigators were in Cape Breton last week making inquiries about former Liberal MLA Dave Wilson. The officers interviewed several people, including Wilson's former staff.

Wilson abruptly resigned his Glace Bay seat last February on the advice of his lawyer, when the auditor general wanted to interview him about his expenses.

RCMP had already made inquiries about the expense accounts of Independent MLA Trevor Zinck and former Tory MLA Len Goucher.

Dexter confirmed earlier that RCMP talked to an NDP caucus staff member about Zinck, who was expelled from the caucus in March over concerns about his expense claims.

Bedford Liberal MLA Kelly Regan confirmed that the RCMP talked to her about her predecessor, Goucher, who was a member of the legislative assembly for Bedford-Birch Cove from 2006 to 2009.