HALIFAX – The sentencing hearing for a former Nova Scotia politician who pleaded guilty in the province’s spending scandal began Tuesday in Halifax.
Trevor Zinck pleaded guilty in June to fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust for accepting about $9,000 from the Speaker’s Office to cover constituency expenses in 2008 and 2009, even though he didn’t pay those owed money.
A sentencing hearing was scheduled for August in the province’s Supreme Court, but the case was delayed after Zinck said he was still trying to find an expert’s opinion on his mental health.
At Tuesday’s hearing, defence lawyer Lyle Howe submitted a brief that argued his client did not wilfully commit fraud.
It also says Zinck followed the rules and procedures of the legislature, but there was a lack of oversight in his office.
The Crown told the court that if it accepts the defence argument, it lowers Zinck’s level of culpability.
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