The Canadian Press
OTTAWA—Charges of fraud and breach of trust have been dropped against former senator Mac Harb, a Liberal appointee and central figure in the Senate expense scandal whose housing expenses were deemed unjustifiable by the upper chamber.
One month after the sensational acquittal of Sen. Mike Duffy, prosecutors made it official today that Harb, 62, would not face a criminal trial because the Crown did not see a reasonable prospect of conviction.
The charges stemmed from living expenses Harb, a one-time Liberal MP from Ottawa, filed for a secondary home in the city while claiming his primary residence was far from the national capital.
A Senate audit raised doubts about the veracity of his claims and Harb ended up repaying the Senate about $231,000 in housing expenses going back years.
Harb, who retired from the Senate three years ago, had been set to face a criminal trial later this year.
In a statement, Harb’s lawyer Sean May said his client has “steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the arduous process” of the RCMP investigation, one in which he co-operated fully.
“The withdrawal of the charges is a complete vindication of Mr. Harb, legally and ethically,” May said.
Last month, the 31 expense-related criminal charges Duffy had been facing were dismissed in sensational fashion by an Ottawa judge, including counts of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery.
Yesterday, the RCMP abruptly announced it wouldn’t pursue charges against Sen. Pamela Wallin, closing her file after three years of poring through her travel expenses.
Today’s decision makes it clear investigators and the Crown have been reconsidering their options since the Duffy verdict.
The decision on Harb’s case leaves only one senator still facing a trial: Conservative appointee Patrick Brazeau, who is—for the moment, at least—scheduled to face trial next year on charges of fraud and breach of trust.
