Ex-MLA MacKinnon pleads not guilty

Former MLA Russell MacKinnon will go to trial next year on charges related tothe expense scandal at the Nova Scotia legislature.

He'scharged with eight counts of uttering forged documents and one count each of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust. He pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

MacKinnonis accused of submitting false expense claims and defrauding taxpayers while he was an MLA for Cape Breton West.

A five-day trial is scheduled to begin on March 12.

MacKinnon, a longtime Liberal who sat as an Independent in his final year, was one of four politicians charged after a report from the auditor general led to a police investigation.

Dave Wilson, the former Liberal MLA for Glace Bay, pleaded guilty to defrauding taxpayers of $61,000 to support a gambling addition. He wassentenced last monthto nine months in jail.

MacKinnon's lawyer, Joel Pink, said the two cases are different. Henoted to reporters that MacKinnon pleaded not guilty and saidhis clientis accused of takinga lot lessmoney.

Richard Hurlburt, a former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister, haspleaded guilty to fraudover $5,000 and breach of trust. His sentencing is set forJuly 5.

Independent Trevor Zinckthe only sitting MLA to be chargedis due in court inJune for a preliminary hearing. He is charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and breach of trust.