N.L. MHA resigns in wake of criminal charges

Wally Andersen has resigned his seat in the house of assembly in the wake of being charged with fraud in connection with a legislative spending scandal that erupted a year ago.

In late July, Andersen, 55, was charged with fraud over $5,000 and one count each of uttering a forged document and breach of trust by a public officer.

He is scheduled to appear in provincial court Sept. 18.

Initially, neither the Liberal MHA for the Labrador district of Torngat Mountains nor Liberal Leader Gerry Reid commented on the charges, and no regulations would have forced Andersen to resign.

The St. John's Telegram reported Thursday that the office of the Speaker received Andersen's resignation Monday and it will take effect Sept. 5.

Andersen had announced early in July, before he was charged, that he would not be running in the next provincial election.

Andersen, first elected in 1996, is one of five politicians from three parties to have been named in reports by Auditor General John Noseworthy, who determined that the politicians together received about $1.6 million more than their constituency allowance entitlements.

Noseworthy saidAndersen had received $344,465 beyond his allocation between the 1998 and 2006 fiscal years.

The information that the RNC presented to provincial court in St. John's on Andersen's charges shows that the alleged offences occurred between April 1, 1997 and March 31, 2006.

The information does not indicate how much money police believe was defrauded.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said its investigation into the legislative spending scandal continues and will not comment on the likelihood that other individuals will be charged.

Police have so far declined to charge Kathy Goudie, whoresigned her Humber Valley seat in January afterNoseworthy determined she had double-billed $3,818 in her constituency allowances.

And Transportation Minister John Hickey was cleared of wrongdoing. Found to have double-billed on some of his claims, he stepped aside from his cabinet responsibilities for several days before Premier Danny Williams reinstated him.