Auditor general examines Dan Lang's senate expenses

Yukon Conservative Senator DanielLang is among at least 40senatorswho have been asked to provide additional information about their expenses to the auditor general.

In a statement, Senator Lang says his office has answered general questions from the auditor general and completed the first stage of the process.Hesays the next phase will involve a meeting with the auditor general's office.

Lang says he is unable to comment on the substance of the audit buthe says when the audit is complete, Yukoners will see that he has acted in good faith.

The auditor general's office hopes to release its findingslater this spring.

40 auditors working full-time

About 40 auditors hired by the auditor general are working on the Senate expenses file in any given month, poring over claims related mostly to travel and housing.

They are looking for evidence that senators may have billed taxpayers for expenses they incurred while not on Senate business. Sources say that could mean expenses claimed for travel undertaken for partisan activities, a trip to a corporate board meeting, or personal matters.

More than 100 current and former senators are being examined.

CBC News has learned at least 40 letters were sent to senators in the past week asking for further clarification on expenses the auditors don't believe are connected to Senate business.