VICTORIA – Dave Basi, the central figure in the B.C. Rail corruption saga, confirmed Monday he wrote a 2003 memo questioning now-premier Christy Clark’s actions at the time with regard to the scandalized privatization deal.
The memo, written by Basi and notarized by a lawyer, suggests Clark asked government officials about the B.C. Rail deal and question whether she passed on information to lobbyists involved. His allegations are unproven and dismissed by the premier’s office.
In the memo, Basi said Clark “took more than a passing interest in the subject” at the time and he became “concerned” that lobbyists involved later appeared to have “unfettered access” to cabinet secrets on the deal.
Basi and Bob Virk, both former government staffers, are serving two years of house arrest after pleading guilty to corruption charges in the 2003 sale of B.C. Rail to private-sector rival CN Rail.
The two men switched their pleas from not-guilty after the government agreed to pay their $6-million legal tab. The shocking plea bargain came just as a long list of powerful Liberal party and government insiders were set to take the witness stand at their trial.
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The newly revealed memo – dated October 2003, before the two men were criminally charged – was released Monday by Internet blogger Alex Tsakumis.
Basi confirmed in a text message that he wrote the memo.
“YES to all your questions,” Basi texted to The Province, when asked if the memo was genuine and if he still stood behind its contents.
In the memo, Basi said Clark – deputy-premier at the time – often pressed Virk for details on the B.C. Rail privatization process, and that lobbyists involved in the deal later repeated the information Virk had given to Clark “word for word.”
Clark has vehemently denied leaking cabinet secrets and she also excused herself from any votes or cabinet discussions on the deal because her then-husband, Mark Marissen, was doing work at the time for CIBC World Markets, which handled the privatization process for the government.
Clark’s press secretary, Sara MacIntyre, said Basi’s memo should not be trusted.
“This is a ‘memo-to self’ written by the man who would plead guilty to being the source of leaking confidential information and breach of trust,” MacIntyre said.
“This supposed memo was written when he himself was leaking. It’s the fabrication of a criminal. And it’s completely inconsistent with every shred of evidence gathered by investigators.”
But Opposition critics said the memo reinforces the need for a public inquiry into the affair.
“The allegations are fairly serious,” said NDP justice critic Leonard Krog. “The premier should order a public inquiry.”
John van Dongen, the former Liberal solicitor-general who jumped to the B.C. Conservatives, said Clark should ask Attorney-General Shirley Bond to review Clark’s conduct in the case.
“There should be a focused review of Christy Clark’s own personal conduct,” van Dongen said.
The government said the case is closed, and no review is necessary.
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