Simple NDP. Simple Majority.
More crime, less jail?
Alise Mills interprets Battleground BC's newest numbers
(L top) Dave Basi with his lawyer (R top)Michael Bolton (B-L) Bobby Virk and his lawyer Kevin McCullough leaving the B.C. Supreme Court after pleading guilty in the political corruption investigation involving the sale of B.C. Rail.
Credits: Carmine Marinelli/QMI AGENCY
VANCOUVER -- B.C. auditor general John Doyle lost his bid Tuesday to see more documents explaining why the province covered $6 million in legal bills for two former government aides linked to the BC Rail case.
Doyle was trying to attain billing records for Dave Basi and Bobby Virk, who admitted to breach of trust and receiving benefits by trading confidential government information regarding the sale of BC Rail.
The petition was one of about 100 other indemnity deals Doyle's office was examining in hopes of performing a credible audit.
In his judgment B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman wrote: "The principle of solicitor-client privilege ... must be protected."
The decision disappointed Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen, a former BC solicitor general, who quit the BC Liberals and used his own funds to successfully attain intervener status in the case.
Though disappointed by the decision, he says he understands and respects it.
