OTTAWA — Exonerated Senator Mike Duffy has been claiming travel expenses from the Senate by indicating that his second residence was located inside Ottawa’s Elgin street courthouse during his trial over the past year.
The Senator has collected over $337,000 for per diems, car rentals, a speaking coach, a makeup artist, and four minstrels. Although he was suspended, the Senate promptly approved the expenses without hesitation as the courthouse’s address was consistent with the paperwork.
“During his trial, Mike Duffy slept in the courthouse every day he wasn’t testifying. This was clearly the Senator’s primary residence,” explained Duffy’s lawyer Donald Bayne. “According to the Senate rules on residency allowance, my client fully qualifies.”
Duffy has also charged the Senate for “witness box speaking fees” and spent over $68,000 given to his friend for a “door holding” contract.
After the exoneration, the judge sentenced the Canadian Senate to five more years with Mike Duffy.
