VICTORIA (NEWS1130) — B.C.’s Auditor General says a police investigation involving the top two officials at the B.C. Legislature is making it harder for her to do her job.
Carol Bellringer hasn’t received this year’s $80-million financial report for the legislature yet, and when she does she says she won’t approve it because she hasn’t been told if there’s a link to that RCMP probe.
Police investigation involving top 2 officials @BCLegislature (Craig James and Gary Lenz) has Auditor General Carol Bellringer refusing to approve this year's $80-million financial report. She says she hasn't received it yet and not told if there's a link to RCMP probe. #bcpoli
— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) December 6, 2018
“I’d actually go further than that and say that I’m not prepared to sign any audit opinions on anything until I know what’s going on.”
When asked if anyone has indicated whether her concerns will be addressed, Bellringer tells NEWS1130, “I haven’t been yet, so I don’t know when that’s going to happen.”
It’s been more than two weeks (Nov. 20th) since Legislature Clerk Craig James and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz were placed on paid leave.
Related:
Premier defends B.C. Speaker, says his ‘impartiality not in question’
‘Deeply humiliated’: Suspended B.C. officials say they have done nothing wrong
BC Liberals question decision to suspend top legislature officials
Suspended B.C. legislature officials deny ‘having committed any wrongdoing’
An all-party legislative assembly management committee is meeting Thursday with Speaker Darryl Plecas who’s refusing to disclose why two special prosecutors have been appointed.
That group is responsible for approving financial statements before they’re reviewed by Bellringer.
“There is a meeting of the legislative assembly management commission,” he says. “There may be more information there. I don’t have additional information at this point.”
James and Lenz have repeatedly denied any wrong-doing and claim they have no idea why they’re under investigation.
