EDMONTON – Elections Alberta revealed Tuesday Brian Fjeldheim finished his investigation into allegations that a $430,000 contribution was made during the April 2012 election campaign.
The investigation was launched after allegations that Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz made a single donation of $430,000 to the PC party in the form of one cheque, which violates the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act that prohibits single donations over $30,000.
A news release from Elections Alberta shows the money came in the form of one bank draft from Katz Group Properties Incorporated.
A decision on whether the donation contravened electoral legislation will be released to all parties involved Wednesday.
“Notice of the decision will be released to the complainants, the subjects of the complaints, and the persons and organizations involved in the investigation on Wednesday, May 1, 2013,” the release stated.
“Public release of the Chief Electoral Officer’s decision, via Elections Alberta’s website, can occur only upon the written request of the complainants, the subjects of the complaints, or the persons and organizations involved in the matter.”
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New amendments passed in the fall dictate that if the legislation was contravened, the findings would be immediately posted by Elections Alberta.
Since the release Tuesday indicates the information will only be released by the request of the parties involved, it can be deduced the investigation found that there was no contravention of the legislation.
The PCAA says it will release Elections Alberta’s overall report into the Katz donation as soon as they get it.
In a letter to the acting chief electoral officer, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta (PCAA) addressed the investigation. (You can read the full letter below).
“We are pleased that you have thoroughly reviewed this matter,” PCAA president Jim McCormick wrote April 30.
“The PCAA has always been consistent that, when information beyond our control indicates there are donations that are non-compliant with the Act, we will return the donations in question in order to continue to follow the highest ethical standards for political fundraising.”
“We agree with your finding that the PCAA did not knowingly solicit or accept or contribution that was non-compliant with the rules governing fundraising in Alberta.”
With files from Vassy Kapelos
A letter from the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
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