OTTAWA – Sen. Mac Harb has repaid more than $51,000 in living expenses to the Senate, but has done so “under protest.”
The Senate confirmed Harb made out a cheque for $51,482.90 to the Receiver-General “under protest,” and he “vigorously denies any liability” and intends to continue his legal challenge against the Senate. Conservative Sen. Gerald Comeau, chair of the standing committee on internal economy, budgets and administration, received the cheque Friday.
A Senate spokeswoman said the Senate requested that the former Liberal Senator, who now sits as an independent, repay $51,482.90 for any living and mileage expenses between April 1, 2011 to date, with interest.
That was the amount ordered by the Senate internal economy committee in May, following a Deloitte audit.
Before he stepped down as chair of the committee in June, Conservative Sen. David Tkachuk said Harb owes more than $230,000 to taxpayers, money stretching back to 2005.
Harb has said he will fight the Senate in court.
Former Conservative Sen. Patrick Brazeau is also being ordered to repay the Senate almost $49,000.
The Senate has said it will start withholding part of his wages at a rate of 20 per cent per pay period.
The RCMP has begun an investigation into Sen. Mike Duffy’s claims and Harb’s property records, and have interviewed members of Brazeau’s staff.
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