The Nova Scotia politician whose purchase of an $8,000 generator made
headlines when it appeared in the auditor general's report last week has
stepped down.
The provincial Conservative party issued a release Tuesday to announce
Richard Hurlburt resigned his seat for the riding of Yarmouth.
"Richard Hurlburt has served this province, and more importantly, the people
of Yarmouth passionately over the past 10 years," interim Tory Leader Karen
Casey said in the release. "I am hopeful that the people of Yarmouth will
remember that."
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.
On Monday, the House speaker released a list of the politicians who filed
the expenses singled out in the auditor's report. That list included
Hurlburt once again - this time to the tune of $3,100 for the purchase and
installation of 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.
Premier Darrell Dexter has said he will introduce legislation to tighten
spending controls.
