April 28, 2015 by admin

Lawyer argues Del Mastro should only face fine for election overspending

LINDSAY, Ont. – A lawyer for Dean Del Mastro says the former Conservative MP should face nothing more than a fine for having been found guilty of violating the Canada Elections Act.
Leo Adler says his client was never charged with corruption, but was instead found guilty of overspending during the 2008 election — a violation he says does not warrant any jail time.
The arguments are being made at a sentencing hearing for Del Mastro, at one time Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s one-time point man on defending the Tories against allegations of electoral fraud.
Crown prosecutors in the case have asked for between nine to 12 months in jail for Del Mastro, arguing that only time behind bars would adequately reflect the gravity of his offences.
Del Mastro was found guilty of exceeding spending limits, failing to report a personal contribution of $21,000 to his own campaign and knowingly submitting a falsified document.
He faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine on each of the three offences.