Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod testified on Friday as a Crown witness in the trial of Mike Duffy, testifying about a fundraiser featuring the then-star senator in her riding.
McLeod told KTW she was on the stand in an Ottawa courtroom for about 20 minutes. She is one of a number of MPs testifying about appearances by Duffy and how the accounting was done.
Duffy is charged with 31 offences, including fraud, breach of trust and bribery, connected to travelling and residency claims as a senator.
The former television newsman appointed senator by Prime MInister Stephen Harper came to Kamloops’ Rivershore Golf Club in June 2009 as part of a fundraiser tour of B.C.
McLeod testified she, along with her husband, picked Duffy up in Kelowna, where he did a similar fundraising event for Kelowna-area MP Cannan.
The Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding association covered the costs of the Rivershore event, which included Sen. Nancy Greene Raine among attendees.
“We picked him up in Kelowna and covered cost of his transportation and covered the cost of his stay,” McLeod told KTW, adding Duffy’s appearance raised money for the riding association despite costs incurred.
“Fundraising is ongoing. You have to have enough money to run the campaign,” she said. “All parties have fund-raisers.”
The testimony will form part of the record to determine whether Duffy improperly used Senate funds to stage partisan events for the Conservative party.
The CBC is running a live blog of the trial, which can be read by by clicking here.
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