Roger Grimes and Ralph Wiseman - both former members of the legislature - are right on this one: ultimately the submission of claims is the responsibility of the person making the claim.
If members of the House of Assembly didn't submit duplicate claims for the same service, there wouldn't be any double billing.
Looking at the Hickey and Goudie reports, and allowing for the peculiarities of the Auditor General's reporting, though, it's difficult to say that Goudie and Hickey didn't appreciate that by submitting two separate claims using two different means of documentation for the same service that they were doing something that was definitely not kosher.
Premier Danny Williams has tried to apply another frame to these most recent accusations as part of his effort to tamp down the scandal that has now embraced his own ministry directly.
Curious to see experienced reporters accepting the Premier's explanations before they saw the details of what is alleged to have occurred. It'll be more curious if they stick to the same interpretation now that they have seen more information.
Among the curiosities in the latest portion of the House of Assembly spending scandal:
- A member of the legislature reimbursed for a meal dated three months before she was first elected.
- Two members of the legislature submitting different claim forms for the same service and being paid for both. Sometimes the payment was on the same day; sometimes the payments came weeks apart.
- Credit card receipts or debit receipts submitted for meal claims showing one amount; the restaurant invoice submitted for the same meal on a separate invoice showing a different amount.
- One member receiving double payment of per diems for meals and accommodations normally paid when the House is in session, for dates when the House was not sitting.
- Double claiming $775 in donations to various groups, one donation being for $500.
- A member claiming three days of per diems and receiving double payment ten days apart.
- A member submitting two separate claims for a $500 donation using two different receipts and a cancelled cheque as supporting documentation. The dates on each of the three supporting documents shows a different date for the donation.
