LEGISLATURE IN CRISIS
Senior staffers suspended
VICTORIA B.C.’s legislature was gripped by an unprecedented crisis Tuesday after its two most senior non-partisan staffers were escorted off the premises by police as news broke of a criminal investigation into their activities.
Clerk Craig James and Sergeantat-Arms Gary Lenz were abruptly placed on administrative leave moments after they concluded their duties inside the chamber’s daily question period.
Suddenly, the two men emerged from a meeting with their boss, Speaker Darryl Plecas, and were whisked away by plainclothes Victoria police officers as MLAs, staffers and media stood stunned in the building ’s hallways.
Both were still wearing their ceremonial garb. Lenz had just an hour earlier carried the golden mace into the house during the morning’s opening procession, and James had been seated in his black robe as the senior civilian in charge of legislative proceedings.
James told reporters he had no idea why he was suspended or what allegations had been made against him. “Somebody knows something and I think out of the fairness principle both Gary and I should be informed before we’re placed on administrative leave exactly what it involves,” James told an impromptu news conference outside his office, during which he held personal belongings and was flanked by police.
“I think it’s very unfair and unfortunate and very disappointing.”
The removal of the two topranking non-partisan officials in the legislature at the same time had never occurred in B.C.
The RCMP had been investigating the men since before Sept. 28, the day the force asked the government for special prosecutors, two of whom were named quietly without a public announcement on Oct. 1.
“The RCMP has an active investigation underway with respect to allegations pertaining to their administrative duties, and we are not in a position to provide any other details or specifics,” said Sgt. Janelle Shoihet from RCMP E Division. RCMP are typically called in when investigations involve government, rather than Victoria city police.
“A thorough investigation is underway and we’ll take the time necessary. Given the nature and the roles of the individuals involved, the RCMP sought the appointment of a special prosecutor.”
Premier John Horgan said he was “shocked” by the allegations and only learned about the situation Monday evening in a briefing by solicitor general Mike Farnworth.
“I am certainly very concerned that whatever investigation is underway is completed as quickly as possible for the individuals involved, but also for our institutions,” said Horgan.
But the premier admitted he was largely in the dark on the details.
“I do know both Gary and Craig, I’ve worked with them for many years and hold them in high esteem,” he said. “But I’m unaware of what led to the events of today.”
Farnworth also briefed the house leaders of the Liberal and Green parties before making a motion in the legislature on Tuesday morning to put Lenz and James on leave. The motion passed unanimously.
The B.C. Prosecution Service named lawyers David Butcher and Brock Martland to oversee the
RCMP investigation and ensure it is free of the perception of political interference.
“Given the potential size and scope of the investigation, the (assistant deputy attorney general) determined that two special prosecutors would be appointed,” the service said in a news release.
Butcher most recently was special prosecutor into the so-called quick wins political scandal under the previous Liberal government, which took years to investigate but resulted in mostly minor charges.
Alan Mullen, a special assistant to the Speaker, told media he knew what the allegations were, but could not provide them in case it jeopardized the police investigation.
“This is non-political. It is not politically driven,” he said. “This is because of an ongoing and active criminal investigation.”
James was paid $347,090 in the year ending March 31, 2018, while Lenz earned $218,167.
Both will continue to be paid during their administrative leave. Lenz recorded $23,079 in travel expenses while James recorded $51,349 that year.
The men have led the modernization of legislature operations. James spearheaded the publication of MLA expenses, organized the legislature’s financial books and pulled the legislature out of repeated critical financial audits by the province’s auditor general. Lenz led the response to a foiled terror plot at the building, installed security scanners and worked with national security agencies.
Lenz was previously an RCMP inspector and member of Canadian security agencies. He had a high security-level clearance on issues related to terrorism and threats.
James was named clerk in 2011. The job is a lifetime appointment to prevent against political interference. The NDP and then-opposition house leader Horgan voted against the appointment because they felt it was too secretive. He’d also served as a temporary head of Elections B.C., during which he was criticized for spending almost $40,000 in four months on travel, including a trip to Kenya in which he took his wife.