Gatineau, Que. – Patrick Brazeau’s next court date to face sexual assault and assault charges will be April 11 – more than 14 months after he was charged.
And that’s just to set a trial date.
The delay was the result of the suspended senator’s lawyer, Gerard Laroque, arguing he needs more information from the RCMP about Brazeau’s unrelated fraud and breach of trust charges, announced last week. Laroque originally asked to postpone the next date until June.
Brazeau was charged with assault and sexual assault following an incident last February. He was not in court Friday.
His previous court date in October was delayed due to undisclosed health problems.
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Crown prosecutor Sylvain Petitclerc accused the defence of stalling.
He said it usually takes between six and nine months to set a trial date.
“They are letting the time pass by, I don’t know why.”
Petitclerc said Brazeau’s defense team already has the audio and transcription of the RCMP interviews, and now wants a video and the police officers’ notes.
Laroque did not address reporters. The RCMP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Brazeau, along with former Liberal Senator Mac Harb, was charged last week with fraud and breach of trust in relation to his travel and living expense claims.
He was suspended from the Senate without pay last November along with Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin, but continues to keep some benefits and accrue his pension.
The Conservative government announced in this week’s budget that it intends to introduce legislation to prohibit suspended senators or MPs from accruing pensionable service.
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