Harper's government used 'shocking' tactics in senator scandal, judge says - 2016-04-21
Harper's government used 'shocking' tactics in senator scandal, judge says April 21, 2016,
A judge has acquitted a Canadian senator of charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust, in a decision that delivered a scathing critique of the "mind-boggling and shocking" tactics of the country's former Conservative government, led by Stephen Harper.
Billed as one of Canada's most sensational political court cases in recent history, the trial of Senator Mike Duffy began more than a year ago. Throughout its 62 days of hearings, the trial laid bare the inner workings of the notoriously secretive former Conservative government and helped set the stage for its ousting in October's federal election.
Thursday's decision cleared Duffy of any wrongdoing over the C$90,000 he received from Nigel Wright, Harper's former chief of staff, to repay the government over housing expenses that had been inappropriately claimed.
