Criminals are okay by me says Dictator Harper...

[fix]

Harper hires ex-con

By ALAN FINDLAY, OTTAWA BUREAU, SUN MEDIA





OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper has hired on as an adviser a former lawyer who was disbarred, convicted of theft and sentenced to 18 months in jail in the early 1980s for stealing money from clients of his law firm.

In 1982, Bruce Carson pleaded guilty to two counts of theft over $200, after forging the signatures of two clients and stealing almost $20,000. He was 37 at the time.

Soon after he was fired by the Ottawa law firm Soloway Wright in 1980, Carson began working for the federal government, a newspaper report at the time states.

He has held several positions on Parliament Hill since then, including roles with former PMs Brian Mulroney and Joe Clark and as policy adviser to the Conservative caucus, during which he appeared before a Senate committee to answer a question on legislation around ethics in the workplace.

He is currently listed on the government website as legislative assistant in the Prime Minister's Office.

A telephone call to Carson was referred to the PM's communications director, Sandra Buckler, who refused comment.

Former law colleagues, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Carson as being a well-liked and capable lawyer prior to his dismissal.

Conservative supporters quietly praised him as talented and a professional mentor.

NDP ethics critic Pat Martin questioned whether Harper knew about Carson's past when he was hired, but stressed that people deserve a second chance in life.

"Having a past offence in your record I don't think precludes you from having a position of confidence, as long as there was full disclosure along the way," Martin said.

According to Law Society of Upper Canada records on his disbarment, Carson was caught up in a land development project and "living beyond his means."

"He bought five different homes, each one being more expensive than the other," according to a summary of his disbarment in 1981.

In one incident, Carson instructed the City of Ottawa to rewrite a cheque for $15,319 -- intended for a client -- in his name. He then deposited it into his personal account.

He forged another client's signature on a $4,110 cheque and collected three retainers from another client without ever telling the firm.

Fraud, theft and forgery's all good in Dictator Harper's eyes...

[Canadian]

If you notice, he is hired in some form or another by tory pm's, and it is kinda funny since all they do is preach about their law and order mantra.

[al?]

OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper has hired on as an adviser......convicted of theft

Figures they would need an advisor. Guess they just aren't naturally skilled at theft like the previous government.



rookies.

[tough love]

Good One, Al.


Harp should give PMartin a call. :wink: