Alberta’s election commissioner has issued penalties totalling $15,000 surrounding an investigation into the 2017 United Conservative leadership race.
Commissioner Lorne Gibson has levelled two fines of $7,500 each to Cameron Davies, the co-campaign manager of Jeff Callaway’s campaign for the leadership.
The penalties were for obstruction of an investigation but, as is customary, no details were provided.
Davies declined comment and directed questions to his lawyer Dale Fedorchuk.
Fedorchuk, in a statement, said Davies denies the allegations and that they plan to appeal the decision to Court of Queen’s Bench.
“I note that the findings of the commissioner were not based upon a hearing, where oral evidence was presented and findings of fact made,” Fedorchuk wrote Tuesday.
“It is important that the public not make any conclusions or draw any inferences from the commissioner’s decision until this matter has been heard by the court.”
Callaway was one of four candidates who ran in 2017 to head up the United Conservative Party, which was formed after a merger of the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties.
Jason Kenney won the leadership.
READ MORE:Kenney to immediately seek seat following party leadership win
In 2018, questions arose over the campaign after a recording was made public in which UCP insiders discussed Callaway running a “kamikaze” campaign for Kenney, attacking key rival candidate Brian Jean and allowing Kenney to float above the fray.
Callaway joined the race and indeed attacked Jean, who had been the leader of the Wildrose. Callaway accused Jean of poorly managing caucus funds and losing touch with the grassroots.
He then dropped out before voting day to support Kenney.
Both Kenney and Callaway have denied engaging in such a scheme.
Dean Bennett, The Canadian Press