Dave Wilson, former MLA to run for political office in Cape Breton municipality

Dave Wilson, the disgraced former MLA who wasfound guilty of defrauding taxpayers of $61,000 in 2012, is attempting to make a return to politics.

The 60-year-oldhas officially filed papers to run as a candidate in this fall's Cape Breton Regional Municipality election.

Wilson served for 10 years as MLAfor GlaceBay, N.S.,until it was discovered he defrauded Nova Scotia taxpayers of large sums of money to support a gambling addiction.

He resigned in March 2010.

In April2012, he was sentenced to nine months in jail and 18 months probation.He was released after four months.

Found work in community radio

After a brief stint painting houses, Wilson,who had been a household name for years because of his work in broadcasting, was offered a job in 2013 at Coastal Community Radio.

Now that he has announced his candidacy for District 10 an area thatencompasses Dominion,GardinerMines and large portions of Reserve Mines andGlaceBay he must step away from his on-air duties until after the election.

On Tuesday, Wilson told reporters he is slowly paying back the$61,000 he owes the province in agreed-upon installments.

"I made arrangements with the Justice Department and the Province of Nova Scotia to start my restitution.It's still ongoing. They're happy with it, and I'm happy with it," he said.

'A second shot'

Wilson admits to being "nervous" about running for office after being away from politics for sixyears, but said he's eager to advocate for people again and taketheir concerns to government.

"I'd like a second shot, a second chance of doing exactly that," he said.

Stating firmly that his gambling addiction is behind him and dealtwith,Wilson said he's anxious to start the door-to-door campaign.

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He'll be running against former longtime councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger, who returned to Cape Breton after working as a labourer in Alberta for 18 months,and political newcomerBrian Shaw.

He said people in Glace Bay have been "tremendously supportive" and is counting on them to give him that second chance.

"That means all the world to me," said Wilson.