N.L. auditor general to begin new spending probe

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has given Auditor General John Noseworthy the green light to examine expense accounts at the house of assembly dating back to 1989.

Earlier this week, the provincial cabinet approved changes to the Internal Economy Commission that gives the auditor general the ability to review the house's books.

Noseworthy is going to conduct comprehensive audits of the legislature's accounts for five fiscal years, dating back to 1999.

He is also going to review MHA constituency allowances money given to members of the provincial legislature to pay for items such as office rentals, supplies and miscellaneous services dating all the way back to when they were created in 1989.

Last month, the auditor general set off a political scandal when he alleged four politicians had misspent more than $1 million from their constituency accounts since 2003.

Noseworthy also said that almost $3 million in government funds was spent on trinkets from four companies since 1999.

House Speaker Harvey Hodder said Wednesday the auditor general will now be allowed to dig deeper.

"The initiative, I think it reflects the seriousness with which we as members of the house look at this particular matter," said Hodder.

"I think that it's in the public interest that this whole issue be clarified, that the audits be completed appropriately and that the public have full knowledge and disclosure of the expenditures from the public purse."

Hodder said the auditor general's reports will not compromise a police investigation that is underway as a result of his earlier findings.

He expects Noseworthy will file his latest reports by November. The police say their part of the investigation could take months.