OTTAWA – The RCMP alleges suspended former Conservative senator Pamela Wallin fraudulently billed taxpayers more than $25,500 to travel to Toronto and Guelph, Ont. for personal business trips.
RCMP Cpl. Rudy Exantus has asked for more information about 21 of Wallin’s Senate claims related to her work with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Bell Media Inc., and the University of Guelph, according to newly-released documents.
The claims total $25,567.31, the RCMP says.
“Senator Wallin used public funds to travel to Guelph and Toronto in order to pursue these private and business interests,” Exantus writes.
No charges have been laid, and none of the allegations have been proved in court.
Wallin is currently under investigation for breach of trust and fraud over $5,000, the documents say, including 150 travel claims.
In the latest documents, the RCMP alleges Wallin billed for one board meeting with BMO in 2010; eight CTV meetings including an audit committee, board of directors and election coverage; and University of Guelph convocation events for three years.
Wallin’s former executive assistant told the RCMP that she felt Toronto was the senator’s primary residence, and when she doubted the eligibility of some of Wallin’s expenses, she was allegedly told by Wallin, “do it, just get it done, do it anyway.”
Earlier this month, the Mounties alleged Wallin billed taxpayers almost $27,500 for trips to Toronto that had nothing to do with her Senate duties.
The RCMP asked for more information about 24 claims from Porter Airlines and Gluskin Sheff and Associates, a wealth-management firm where Wallin was a board member for seven years.
Walllin also sat on the board of directors at Porter, but quit amidst an audit of her travel expenses in June 2013.
RCMP details case against Pamela Wallin
Wallin’s lawyer told Global News at the time that his client had inadvertently charged the Senate for some of her board expenses but the money has since been repaid.
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