Fundraising letter asking Zinck for money was forged, witness says

HALIFAX — A witness in MLA Trevor Zinck’s trial testified Wednesday that his signature was forged on a letter requesting money from the politician.

Brian LeBlanc, the former vice-chair of the Dartmouth District 9 Citizens’ Association, was responding to a undated letter given to him by the crown attorney.

The letter is addressed to Zinck and requests financial assistance for a local basketball league.

Although LeBlanc is listed as the sender, he told the court he didn’t write it and the signature beside his name isn’t his.

When defence lawyer Lyle Howe asked LeBlanc if someone else working for the community group could have composed and signed the letter on his behalf, LeBlanc said he wasn’t aware of what his former colleagues had written.

Outside the courtroom, when asked if he wrote the letter himself, Zinck said, “no, absolutely not”.

Howe was close beside him as the MLA received a phone call and the pair shuffled into an elevator.

“Defence hasn’t provided any evidence,” Howe said. “So I would advise that it be wise to hear that before you make any conclusions.”

This letter, fraudulent or not, shows the hint of a paper trail in the search for missing taxpayer money.

The trial’s agreed statement of facts shows Zinck was reimbursed for a $2,000 cheque he purportedly gave to the Dartmouth District 9 Citizens’ Association.

The Association says they never received any money.

At total of 10 similar cases of missing money are listed in the statement of facts.

Zinck is facing charges of theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust. The trial is expected to continue well into next week.

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