LATEST UPDATE:
3:30 p.m.: 31 of 31 charges dismissed.
Mike Duffy, the embattled senator caught up in an expenses scandal, was acquitted of all charges in an Ottawa courtroom on Thursday. He had faced 31 charges for fraud, breach of trust and bribery.
The criminal charges Duffy related to housing and travel expense claims, consulting contracts, and a $90,000 cheque he received from then-Prime Minister Harper’s right hand man, Nigel Wright.
WATCH: Mike Duffy leaves courtroom after judge dismisses him of all charges
At the centre of Duffy’s case was whether the senator’s home in P.E.I., which was designated as his primary residence, made him eligible for expense claims for his time in Ottawa, despite the fact that he has lived and worked in the country’s capital for years.
READ MORE: Crown needed to prove intent to get a conviction in Duffy trial, says expert
The trial which began in April of 2015 and ended in December saw explosive testimony from several witnesses including Nigel Wright, the ex-chief of staff to Stephen Harper and Duffy himself.
WATCH: Vassy Kapelos takes a brief look back at the trial of Senator Mike Duffy
See Global News’ live coverage below.
Comments