Brazeau’s payments put on hold during two-year suspension

OTTAWA – Sen. Patrick Brazeau will not have to reimburse the Senate during his two-year suspension from the institution.

Brazeau owed the Senate $48,745 for filing inappropriate travel and housing claims.

He claimed he lived in Maniwaki, Que., about 140 kilometres north of Ottawa, and not in Gatineau.

Senators who live more than 100 kilometres outside the nation’s capital are allowed to claim housing costs for a second residence in Ottawa.

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Brazeau and fellow senators Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy were suspended without pay last week for up to two years for alleged “gross negligence” in claiming inappropriate expenses.

The Senate ordered this summer that 20 per cent of Brazeau’s salary be withheld at source to pay off the $48,745.

A Senate spokeswoman said in an email that the payments will resume once Brazeau’s suspension is over.