Former legislature clerk Craig James charged with fraud and breach of trust

Former clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Craig Harley James, has been criminally charged with multiple counts of breach of trust and fraud regarding a spending scandal at the Legislature.

The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced Friday that following an extensive RCMP investigation of senior staff at the B.C. Legislature, James has been charged with four counts of breach of trust by a public officer and two counts of fraud in excess of $5,000.

Both James and sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz were suspended November 20, 2018 amid allegations of receiving improper benefits and expensing spending on personal items.

The two were suspended and reports came out regarding allegedly fraudulent and flagrant overspending, “lavish” trips overseas, inappropriate expense claims, cash payouts and misappropriating liquor from the legislature, according to Speaker of the House Darryl Plecas.

Lenz was cleared of any wrongdoing in May 2019, and remained on paid leave until he retired in October that same year.

James retired with a “non-financial” settlement, following the release of a report by Beverley McLachlin, who was appointed to investigate allegations of spending abuses in the legislature.

READ MORE: B.C. legislature clerk in spending scandal retires, report clears sergeant-at-arms of wrongdoing

The report from McLachlin found four of five administrative allegations against James were substantiated, while she said Lenz did not engage in misconduct.

Both James and Lenz deny any wrongdoing.

After the announcement today, former Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver took to Twitter, thanking the Speaker of the House Darryl PLecas and Chief of Staff Alan Mullen for their involvement.

Immediately after the allegations broke in November 2018, assistant deputy Attorney General Peter Juk appointed special prosecutors Brock Martland and David Butcher to provide the RCMP with legal advice about the allegations. They were also given the green light to conduct any related charge assessment, and assume conduct of the prosecution if charges were approved.

The indictment charging James with breach of trust and fraud was filed on December 17, 2020 and he made his first appearance on the matter Friday in the Victoria Courthouse.

His next appearance has been set for January 27,  2021. 

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