David Wilson (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
Harold David "Dave" Wilson (born November 4, 1955) is a former Canadian
politician and radio personality. He represented the electoral district of Glace Bay
in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
from 1999 to 2010. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
. He resigned his Glace Bay seat on March 11, 2010, amid controversy, refusing to meet with the provincial auditor general about his MLA expense claims.
Prior to entering politics, Wilson worked in the Cape Breton
media for 24 years. He worked for 950 CHER radio, CTV Television
, and CJCB Radio
, where he hosted the popular "Talkback" radio program.
In a statement released on March 12, 2010, Wilson failed to disclose his reasons for resigning, saying only: "I no longer feel that I can fulfill my duties and responsibilities as the Member of the Legislature Assembly for the Constituency of Glace Bay." He added: "I will not be making any further comments at this time and I would ask for your respect for my families privacy."
On February 14, 2011, it was announced that Wilson was among four people facing criminal charges in connection with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
investigation into 2010s MLA expense scandal
. Wilson was charged with fraud exceeding $5,000, breach of trust by a public officer, and 31 counts of uttering a forged document.
On September 13, 2011, Wilson pleaded guilty to fraud, breach of trust, and uttering forged documents in connection with the spending scandal. The charge of uttering forged documents covers a period stretching from 2006 to 2010 and relates to some 31 incidents of uttering forged expense claims.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and radio personality. He represented the electoral district of Glace Bay
Glace Bay (electoral district)
Glace Bay is a provincial electoral district in Nova Scotia, Canada, that elects one member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly....
in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
from 1999 to 2010. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Origins:The party is descended from the pre-Confederation Reformers in Nova Scotia who coalesced around Joseph Howe demanding the institution of responsible government...
. He resigned his Glace Bay seat on March 11, 2010, amid controversy, refusing to meet with the provincial auditor general about his MLA expense claims.
Prior to entering politics, Wilson worked in the Cape Breton
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
media for 24 years. He worked for 950 CHER radio, CTV Television
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
, and CJCB Radio
CJCB (AM)
CJCB is a Canadian radio station which broadcasts from Sydney, Nova Scotia on the AM dial at 1270 kHz with a power of 10,000 watts. The station is one of the oldest radio stations in the Atlantic Provinces, hitting the airwaves on February 14, 1929...
, where he hosted the popular "Talkback" radio program.
Expense scandal
In 2010, Wilson abruptly resigned his legislative seat after more than 10 years in office. He quit the seat amid auditor general Jacques Lapointe’s investigation into MLA expenses. Lapointe’s review revealed Wilson's expenses were highlighted by a $400 claim he made for patio furniture. Wilson was scheduled to meet with the province's auditor general in February 2010, but instead skipped the meeting, hired a lawyer, and abruptly resigned.In a statement released on March 12, 2010, Wilson failed to disclose his reasons for resigning, saying only: "I no longer feel that I can fulfill my duties and responsibilities as the Member of the Legislature Assembly for the Constituency of Glace Bay." He added: "I will not be making any further comments at this time and I would ask for your respect for my families privacy."
On February 14, 2011, it was announced that Wilson was among four people facing criminal charges in connection with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
investigation into 2010s MLA expense scandal
Nova Scotia Parliamentary Expenses scandal
The Nova Scotia Parliamentary Expenses Scandal is a political scandal in the province of Nova Scotia in 2010.-Background:Part-way through the first session of the 61st General Assembly, the NDP, under Premier Darrell Dexter, announced that it would "eliminate an MLA severance payment as well as...
. Wilson was charged with fraud exceeding $5,000, breach of trust by a public officer, and 31 counts of uttering a forged document.
On September 13, 2011, Wilson pleaded guilty to fraud, breach of trust, and uttering forged documents in connection with the spending scandal. The charge of uttering forged documents covers a period stretching from 2006 to 2010 and relates to some 31 incidents of uttering forged expense claims.