NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus wants the RCMP to look into election allegations surrounding Dean Del Mastro.
Angus made the request to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson in a letter sent Friday.
Dear Hon. Robert Nicholson,
I am writing with regard to the growing allegations of illegal campaign contributions to Dean Del Mastro’s2008 election campaign.
In addition to previous reports around a personal cheque and possible overspending on voter identification work, recent reports in the Ottawa Citizen[i] [ii] have raised further questions concerns about the legality of some campaign contributions by employees of Deltro Electric Ltd. to Mr. Del Mastro’s election campaign. With these growing allegations, including eyewitnesses, we are concerned the issues surrounding this campaign financing scheme have gone beyond the potential violations of the Elections Act.
We believe these alleged offences fall under federal jurisdiction, potentially crossing several federal laws. Those laws and sections that could be in violation include:
- Conspiracy to commit fraud over $5000 Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
- Making a false claim in a return Section 239(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act
- Collusion to circumvent contribution limits and concealing the source of a contribution, Section 405.2(1) and Section 405.2(2) respectively of the Canada Election Act
At this stage I propose that this matter be referred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and theRCMP Commercial Crimes Unit for further investigation and other law enforcement authorities, as appropriate.
According to his mandate, The DPP is responsible for providing prosecutorial advice to law enforcement agencies on investigations that may lead to prosecution under federal laws and for prosecuting criminal offences under federal jurisdiction. It is with this mandate that I believe inclusion of the DPP is appropriate to ensure that all law enforcement agencies are directed accordingly in their investigations.
In the wake of the Sponsorship Scandal, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution was established tooversee these types of prosecutions and ensure freedom from possible or apparent political interference.
Given the evidence already made public and the possible involvement of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, it is not only within your mandate to refer this issue to the independent office of the DPP, Ibelieve it is your responsibility to do so.
These are seriously allegations involving a senior member of your government and I trust you will ensure that the investigation, and the laying of charges if appropriate, are done free of any possible conflict of interest.
These allegations must be investigated not just for the sake of the public interest, but to maintain the integrity of the democratic process. Above all else, the criminal justice system must prevail – if crimes were committed the perpetrators must be held to account.
Regards,
Charlie Angus, MP
Timmins-James Bay
