Legislative Report

NDP Caucus Fraud Scandal

Over the past few days, you’ve probably read or heard about a story involving fraud at the Office of the New Democratic Party Caucus at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

The story involved a woman named Ann Lord, although she used many other names while committing many other crimes.

While employed at the NDP Caucus office, Ann Lord falsely inflated the value of some cheques, and pocketed some money. She managed to get about six thousand dollars before writing a letter detailing her crimes.After writing the letter, Ann Lord disappeared, and was never seen in Regina again.

This was 15 years ago. Now some may ask: why is this all relevant? Why dredge up a story involving such a comparatively small amount that went missing so many years ago?

First, this is taxpayers’ money. The NDP Caucus office, like the Saskatchewan Party Caucus office, is funded by the people of Saskatchewan. When substantial amounts of money go missing, the taxpayers should have certain rights. They should know about the theft. They should know there are efforts underway to recover the money. They should know the police are being brought in. And they should know steps are being taken to make sure similar losses are prevented. None of that happened in this case.

Everyone knew. Every member of caucus, including Premier Lorne Calvert was aware money was missing, and was aware police had not been told. They all knew. There was just one problem: no one bothered to tell the people of Saskatchewan about missing taxpayers' money.

This story is not just about missing money. And it’s not just about fraud. It’s really a story about a group of politicians that had a decision to make: tell the truth or cover-up a politically embarrassing situation. Sadly, those politicians made the wrong choice. And now, people in Saskatchewan are asking a very important question:

What else is the NDP hiding?

Past Legislative Reports