QUEBEC CITY – Lise Thibault was back in court on Wednesday after spending years arguing she should be immune to prosecution.
The woman who was the Queen’s representative to Quebec faces charges of fraud, falsification of documents and breach of trust, to which she’s pleaded not guilty.
The Crown alleges that between 1997 and 2007, Thibault spent $700,000 of taxpayer money on trips and meals unrelated to her official duties.
The Quebec government is also suing Thibault in a separate civil case for $92,000 for what it calls unjustified expenses.
Defence attorney Marc Labelle said Thibault – who is now 75 – is feeling stressed.
He began procedures on Wednesday by asking for two reports detailing Thibault’s alleged fraudulous expenses.
“The reason why the state isn’t using the report may be because it’s favourable to my client. So I want to have it to prepare my cross-examinations and prepare the trial,” he told reporters.
Labelle said he’ll also ask the judge about partial immunity.
Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected Thibault’s arguments she should benefit from royal immunity based on the principle “the Queen can do no wrong.”
“This time we’re asking the court to decide about what we call a partial immunity. This was conceded by the state in the debate pertaining to the absolute immunity,” explained Labelle.
The trial officially begins April 7, the day Quebecers go to the polls, which means it could once again be postponed.
The trial is expected to last six weeks.
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