ATLANTIC

New court date set for Trevor Zinck in expense scandal

The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, October 4, 2011 10:41AM ADT

Nova Scotia MLA Trevor Zinck poses outside his constituency office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on Thursday March 25, 2010. Zinck, who represents the riding of Dartmouth North, has been suspended from the Nova Scotia NDP party caucus because of issues surrounding his constituency bills. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Dembeck)

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HALIFAX - New dates for a preliminary hearing have been set for a provincial politician in Nova Scotia facing charges in the legislature spending scandal.

Trevor Zinck faces charges of theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

Zinck's hearing, originally set for mid-February, has been pushed back to May to allow presiding Judge Anne Derrick to deal with an unrelated trial matter in February.

Four days have been scheduled for Zinck beginning May 1, while June 11 and 12 are dates being held in reserve.

Dave Wilson, a one-time chairman of the Liberal caucus, pleaded guilty in the case last month.

Wilson, 55, admitted to charges of fraud, uttering forged documents and breach of trust, and sentencing is set for Jan. 25.

Two other former members of the legislature also face charges -- former Conservative cabinet minister Richard Hurlburt and ex-Liberal Russell MacKinnon.

An RCMP probe began after provincial auditor general Jacques Lapointe uncovered several cases last year of what he described as excessive and inappropriate spending of constituency funds.