Walsh trial: Noel testifies about financial ties

AformerN.L. house of assemblyclerk testified atthe fraud trial of Jim Walsh about the close financial ties that seemed to develop betweenthe former Liberal MHAand Bill Murray, one-time financial director at the legislature.

John Noel's testimony shows a connection between Murray and Walsh that Walsh had claimed did not exist. Noel, in the witness box for a second day, said Wednesday that by 2002, Murray wasn't just approving Walsh's expense claims; he was routinely filling them out.

Murray's handwriting was all over the claim forms shown in court, filling in the amounts, dates and reasons for the expense. The exception was Walsh's signature on the bottom of the claim, something that was needed for Walsh to get paid.

During Walsh's last two years in politics, Noel testified that Murray filled out every expense claim except two.

Walsh's videotaped statements to the police in 2007 and played at the trial in May said he knew Murray, but certainly didn't consider him a friend or someone he could rely on.

"Bill Murray didn't move in my social class. He didn't move in the class with where me or my family would feel comfortable with him and there was nothing Bill Murray could do for me," Walsh said in 2007.

Walsh has maintained that mistakes, not crimes, lie behind overpayments he received in his tax-free constituency allowances.

Walsh is being tried on charges of fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and fraud on the government, formerly known as influence peddling.

The former tourism minister sat in the house of assembly from 1989 untilhis defeatin 2003.