Michel Samson's riding association pocketed $300 donation under investigation

Energy Minister Michel Samson has admitted his Liberal riding association was the beneficiary of what may have been illegal donations totalling $300 by seven Richmond County municipal councillors.

According to Samson, the seven attended a fundraising supper at Louisdale Parish Hall on May 23, 2014. He said they would have paid cash or by personal check, and no one was aware they subsequently asked the municipality to cover the expense.

Elections Nova Scotia is investigating because by law, only individuals are allowed to make political contributions.

The expensing of the donation to Richmond County was made public with the release of an audit that found a litany of questionable spending by municipal councillors and senior staff.

'Honest mistake'

Samson said he believes the expensing of donations to be "an honest mistake" by his supporters.

"The party received personal checks from individuals, which is what the rules of the province is," he told reporters Thursday at Province House. "That's who we received payment from. What is done after we received payment of personal checks, it's impossible for an electoral district association to know what happens after that.

"In this case, I think it's clear that the councilors were under the honest but mistaken belief that this could be reimbursed."

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Samson said given the circumstances, any talk of reimbursement is a matter between the municipal politicians and Richmond.

'Illegal contributions'

That explanation doesn't wash with Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie.

"These are illegal contributions to the Liberal Party," he said. "It is unbelievable that they are defending them. They know that they were illegally reimbursed by the taxpayers of Richmond.

"The law says taxpayers through their municipality can't make political donations. It's against the law. They should give the money back."