Senate ethics watchdog looks into new allegations against Colin Kenny

The Senate ethics watchdog islooking into new allegations that Senator Colin Kennyused parliamentary resources for personal business following an investigation by Radio-Canada.

The CBC's French-language serviceobtained emailsdating as far back as 2005 indicatingthe senator had staff from his office organizingrenovations to his home and taking care of business at a tanning salon he once owned.

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"Yes, we are looking into the concerns raised by this story," saidLouiseDalphy, a spokeswomanfor Senate ethics officerLyseRicard, in anemailto CBC News on Wednesday.

"No one has filed an official complaint in this matter," said Dalphystoppingshort of providing details,citing confidentiality rules.

This is not the first time Kenny has come under scrutiny over accusations he used staff members to attend to personal business.

A former employee, Pascale Brisson,filed a complaint about Kennyin October2013.She alleged she spent roughly half her time at the office taking care of the senator's personal affairs.

Kenny was also one of nine senators whom theauditor general of Canada recommended the RCMP investigateover questionable expenses.

New allegations 'regrettable'

A colleague of Kenny's called thenew allegations against him "regrettable" and saidthey should be investigated.

"Well, it doesn't sound good," said Independent Liberal Senator David Smith on Tuesday.

Smith saidhe's not aware of all the facts surrounding Kenny's case, and adds the senator "is entitled to due process".

"But things like that have to be investigated," Smith said, "because the public has to be satisfied that tax dollars are being spent in an appropriate way."

Another of Kenny's colleagues in the independent Liberal caucus was also hesitant to discuss the situation.

But Newfoundland Senator George Baker did concede it would be improper for a senator to use their office staff for personal business.

"You can't," Baker said on Tuesday.

"The work in a senator's office, it entirely involves work concerning the job that a senator should be doing."