Duffy Fraud?

The Duffy boondoggle goes on. After a few days of the proverbial poop hitting the fan, Prime Minister Harper has now indicated that any member of the Conservative caucus who joined to seek personal gain from public office should leave. Oh, please spare me the crap.  Isn’t that implied for those with any sense of integrity who enter politics? Harper’s throw-them-a-bone explanation is really too little too late. Rather than repeat what everyone knows or ought to know, Harper should have voiced his support for a thorough investigation. Senator Duffy submitted claims and received public money for a housing allowance he was not entitled to. The word FRAUD jumps off the page here.

The following is a section of the Criminal Code of Canada:

       380. (1) Every one who, by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means, whether or not it is a false pretence within the meaning of this Act, defrauds the public or any person, whether ascertained or not, of any property, money or valuable security or any service,

o    (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years, where the subject-matter of the offence is a testamentary instrument or the value of the subject-matter of the offence exceeds five thousand dollars; or

o    (b) is guilty

§  (i) of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or

§  (ii) of an offence punishable on summary conviction,

where the value of the subject-matter of the offence does not exceed five thousand dollars.