The Tory MLA in Nova Scotia who repaid the government for an $8,000
generator he expensed, also spent $3,100 taxpayer dollars to purchase and
install a 40-inch LCD television.
In his annual report released last Wednesday, the province's auditor general
highlighted many questionable expenses and described “serious weaknesses” in
spending controls for provincial politicians that he said can lead to
spending abuse.
The report didn't provide the names of the politicians who filed the claims.
One of the "inappropriate expenditures" was $7,995 for the purchase and
installation of a generator at a politician's home.
Tory MLA Richard Hurlburt apologized Friday for an "error in judgment" and
paid the government back for the generator.
Although the generator was kept at his house, Hurlburt insisted it was
purchased for local groups - including a senior citizens' residence down the
street from his home - in the event of a power outage.
Residents of the seniors' complex, however, were baffled at the news when
the CBC contacted them last week.
Hurlburt made no mention of the big-screen television.
On Monday, the House speaker released a list of the politicians who filed
the expenses singled out in the auditor's report.
Premier Darrell Dexter's name appears in the list of "excessive
expenditures" for the purchase of a $5,501 laptop computer and a $2,150
digital camera.
On Monday, Dexter said he would introduce legislation to tighten spending
controls.
“I regret that I have been included in his report,” Dexter told a news
conference. “But talk is not as important as action.”
