Image Credit: Canadian Press

By Amy Judd, Global News

Crime

Craig James, former B.C. legislature clerk, guilty of fraud, breach of trust

May 19, 2022 | 10:02 AM

The B.C. legislature’s former clerk, who was accused of misspending money from the public purse, has been found guilty of fraud and breach of trust.

Craig James pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer based on allegations of misspending stemming from his time serving as clerk between 2011 and 2018.

On Thursday, the judge found him not guilty of all other similar charges related to a $258,000 retirement fund and the use of a wood splitter.

Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes, of the B.C. Supreme Court, said James dishonestly described clothing he purchased as work attire when he knew it was not.

Holmes said he breached the standard of conduct expected of a public official and his purpose was a dishonest one to benefit himself.

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Crown prosecutors argued during the trial that James used his position, which they likened to the CEO of the legislative assembly, to take advantage of weaknesses in policy to enrich himself.

However, the defence said James was transparent with each of his claims, which were overseen by multiple responsible individuals who raised only “a handful of questions” over half a decade and never lodged a complaint.

-with files from The Canadian Press