Former solicitor general Kash Heed's financial agent and campaign manager are among three people charged with offenses related to brochures distributed during last year's provincial election. No charges have been laid against Heed.
“The investigation centred on the production, distribution and financing of three election pamphlets, and included an examination of the election financing report filed on behalf of Kash Heed,” said an announcement from the criminal justice branch.
Heed campaign manager Barinder Sall received three charges under the election act and three under the criminal code. Dinesh Khanna, the owner of a mailing company has been charged three times under the election act and twice under the criminal code. And Heed financial agent Satpal Johl was charged with one count under the election act.
“On the evidence presented to the Special Prosecutor, there is no evidence that Mr. Heed was either involved in the production of the pamphlets or had direct knowledge of the pamphlets or the allegedly fraudulent [advertising sponsor form],” the announcement said.
Heed said he was pleased to be exonerated, but surprised and disappointed to learn key members of his campaign team had been charged. “I've said from the start I was confident I did nothing wrong,” said Heed, adding that it's up to premier Gordon Campbell whether or not to reappoint him to cabinet.
These are serious charges against two senior members of Heed's campaign team, said NDP critic Mike Farnworth. “I think the court case needs to play itself out and we need to hear what the results are in the court case before any consideration is given to Mr. Heed going back to cabinet,” he said.
Heed may still lose his seat if it turns out the brochures should have counted as an election expense and including them pushes the campaign over the spending limit, he said.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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freebear
2 years ago
Scapegoats and lame ducks for the MLA
Never Heed's fault ever?
Polakite
2 years ago
Send Heed Back to Cabinet
Do it now. The trial could be in 2017 at this rate.
Skywalker
2 years ago
You're right freebear.
There is always a few underlings to take the fall.
Curt
2 years ago
Who was the special
Who was the special prosecutor appointed and handling the case?
Claims he had no "direct" knowledge.
Mmhmm.
Another matter "before the courts" I guess.
Van Isle
2 years ago
How could Kash Heed ever
How could Kash Heed ever hire on this guy to be his campaign manager in the 1st place? It boggles the mind. To fix the wrong (if he's an honourable person as he claims to be) for Kash Heed to resign his seat and to have a by-election.
circle A
2 years ago
campbells croud...
don`t take a backseat to anyone in the dirty tricks department, like the cop said "we specialize in smear campaigns".
Polakite
2 years ago
Oh, dirty tricks...
That's a BCNDP thing.
You know, the two-faced lies from Carole, the smears of me as commenting thru my genitals, the personal attacks on the Premier's senior staff & wife, the "Gordon Campbell Hates Children", et al.
No excuses for Kash's brats getting outta hand, but you guys have no right to claims of piety.
SharingIsGood
2 years ago
The BC Liberal government
Ten years ago, The BC Liberal government under Gordon Campbell, campaigned on openness and accountablity. They have been in power for the 10 years hence. In my eyes the only Canadian government that may have ever been as equally secretive and unaccountable is the federal, Stephen Harper government. I think the average BC citizen sees them as birds of a feather...
The BC Liberals have been in power for ten years, and everything they have done is their own fault - nobody else's. It is not a time to look for ancient history - to governments elected 15 years ago. It is a time to look at this government. This government that has had to REMOVE THREE different Solicitor Generals because of illegal activity. Nothing can compare to this BC Liberal government - it oozes with immorality.
ChrisC
2 years ago
Oh polakite
a) Dirty tricks are something all political parties indulge in, however the BC Libs are no slouch in that area.
b) As for " the smears of me as a commenting through my genitals ".
Wow, thanks for the entertainment.
If you think any actual BC NDP operative of any level is concerned or interested in what you spew on various websites you are more self delusional than I thought.
Usually I find you annoying and of simply no regard and blow right by your inane commentary.
But this is just hilarious.
( Chuckling and shaking my head ).....=)
crankypants
2 years ago
Pinball wizard
Kash Heed must be the Pinball Wizard, deaf, dumb and blind if he truly didn't know about the flyer.
That being said, with the rulings our judicial system comes out with, unless someone had a picture if Mr. Heed holding one of these flyers, odds are the judge would rule any implication of knowledge of the matter would be nothing more than hearsay.
We know that anyone under Gordon Campbell's wing would not be encouraged to do the right thing regarding this matter. Does Kash Heed have the integrity to resign and once again face the people to see if he really has the support of his constituents?
Polakite
2 years ago
I don't care for the BCNDP operatives either...
I'd buy them a nice AIM-120, AIM-9, CRV-7 or 20 MaryMary if they'd like. Figure some more butt-whoopin' is necessary.
Pun aside, Gordon Campbell's BCLibs are going to put FOI back over BCFerries where it belonged. Not exactly opaque governance, boys and girls.
Oh and guilty Solicitor Generals? Only one, for speeding. This one (Heed) had rogue staff, it happens on campaigns more than anybody would like and Les is still under investigation.
crh
2 years ago
I find it really difficult
I find it really difficult to believe that Kash Heed did not know anything about this. All I can say is I hope those that are taking the fall are being paid enough.
Barryeng
2 years ago
Similarities?
For some reason, Heed's handlers remind me of the Basi-Virk - BC Rail fiasco. Same dirty tricks. Same I didn't know stance.
The difference is that in the end Campbell can see Heed as expendable, so he doesn't think it is necessary to spend millions in balking the courts.
off-the-radar
2 years ago
corruption?
I know the Liberals are corrupt, but now I am starting to really worry about our provincial justice system.
Consider:
The Basi-Virk trial dragging on for seven years and the "coincidence" of three high profile Liberal Cabinet ministers tied to Railgate all suddenly leaving government. Not to mention the two special prosecutors who both resigned within a month of taking the position and the third special prosecutor acting more like criminal defense lawyer FOR government (and a partner in Geoff Plant's law firm). Not to mention all the Railgate emails conveniently disappearing in the midst of the 2009 election. Huh.
Okay, let's look at John Les. So why isn't he being prosecuted? Or, at the very least, why hasn't he resigned or been expelled from the Liberal caucus?
Kash Heed. How convenient for the staff to fall on their swords. (Hey wait a minute, isn't this a replay of the Liberal's Railgate strategy?!) C'mon, the candidate is responsible for what happens in his campaign. He should resign and compete again in a byelection. The special prosecutor states Kash Heed had no "direct knowledge". Well there's a lawyerly obfuscation if there ever was one. Doubtless the cost of the pamphlets will push the campaign costs over the legal limit but will the special prosecutor ensure the law is followed and a byelection is called?
The Peter Lee multiple-murder case (he brutally killed his wife, young son and both inlaws) with no accountability for the Crown prosecutors who did not take Peter Lee into custody when he was charged, as the police had begged them to do.
What kind of a province are we living in? We need to get some recalls going this fall and clean house. Thank goodness the anti-HST petition has taken off, people are so energized and ready to take action.
Hopefully Torstar will take over the Canwest rags and get some consistent, decent, unbiased investigative journalism happening again in the mainstream media. God knows we need it.
morechatter
2 years ago
Isn't He Special
Special treatment you think? Its like Basi and Virk all over again as Heed says let the wheels of justice look after this one, just like the other one. And despite all the good men being rotten apples Mr. Heed was worm free. Do you believe that? I do only in BC or may not because the Feds seem to have it going on, and going on, and on....
morechatter
2 years ago
Do I believe Heed is innocent?
Of any wrong doing as he surrounds himself in corruption, a man of the law, BC's attorney general. #1 Heed is not the man for the job if that is the case and it is, as all his key men have been charged.
And all his good men say Mr. Heed knew nothing of what was going on surprise, surprise at least if the corrupt lot are get in trouble they will have the attorney general backing them because look what they have on him And if he didn't it certainly was his responsibility to ensure all was right within the law. Clean up your own house before you clean up on the taxpayers to start.
offended
2 years ago
3 S/G's in a row resign:
John Les
John Van Dongen
Kash Heed
Kash claims he knew nothing about these flyers even though the media were asking questions and writing articles about them before the election.
I guess he doesn't read.
Kash's seat needs to be vacated and another election held for that riding. A clean election. Kash should ask the premier to do that.
But he won't.
BTW who's travelling with Gordo on his junket? Curious, I am.