BC's conflict commissioner has dismissed a complaint leveled at Vernon's Liberal MLA about his constituency office, for a second time. Back in March, BC Conservative Leader John Cummins asked commissioner Paul Fraser to review his 2012 probe that cleared Eric Foster of conflict of interest over ownership of the office and renovations to it, with Cummins saying it was "flawed", and based on false or incomplete information. Fraser denied the request, and also dismissed Tory concerns about Foster moving the MLA's office, saying the cited reasons for better visibility and easier access are entirely legitimate. Commissioner Fraser says the Conservatives have provided no new information to warrant a review, and he now considers the matter closed. "You have suggested that the facts provided to me by the member were not accurate and complete. Principal among the new "facts" you assert is that the building "is owned by an immediate family member -- the husband of Mr. Foster's assistant." You have provided no evidence to support that statement. I can advise you that the member did, in the first instance, make me aware that the assistant's husband had a 25% minority shareholding in the company that owns the building, with the majority shareholding belonging to his parents. This information has been independently verified as correct from the company's records. It is, therefore, inaccurate to suggest that the building was "owned by the husband of Mr. Foster's assistant," writes Fraser in his reply to Cummins. (Click HERE to read the full news release) Eric Foster hopes this ends the issue. "It clears me of any wrong doing but it also speaks to the fact that the information being sent out by Mr. Cummins, there was no basis to them. I'm happy the commissioner has looked into it and the issue is closed," Foster tells Kiss FM. Conservative candidate Scott Anderson still has concerns. "I'm not really clear on why the conflict commissioner has chosen to take the tact he's taken. I guess the voters of Vernon-Monashee will have to make a decision." Anderson still feels it's strange the family of Foster's assistant bought the building four days before the 2009 election, and since then, he says $250,000 in taxpayer funds have been put into renovations.
No comments:
Post a Comment