Former B.C. cabinet minister cleared after investigation into alleged wrongdoing

An RCMP investigation into former B.C. NDP cabinet member Jinny Sims has revealed no evidence to support allegations of wrongdoing against the MLA for Surrey-Panorama.

According to a statement from the B.C. Prosecution Service, special prosecutor Richard Peck concluded his involvement in the case after receiving word that police had come up empty-handed.

Sims resigned as minister of citizens' services last October after Peck was appointed to handle the probe into her activities.

In an emailed statement Friday, she thanked police and Peck. She blamed Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson for promoting "baseless accusations."

"Every day, my focus remained on serving my constituents. I'm pleased that the RCMP has confirmed there is no evidence to support any of these claims," Sims said.

"In times like these, it's more important than ever that elected officials work together constructively for the people we represent."

The subject of the investigation was never confirmed, but Sims maintained her innocence throughout, saying she was confident that her name would be cleared.

The B.C. Liberals requested a police investigation last year into a series of allegations made by a former constituency assistant in Sims' office.

Kate Gillie — who was fired after working for Sims for six weeks — claimed the minister had inappropriately mixed her constituency and ministerial duties in a number of ways. That included allegations that Sims wrote visa reference letters for foreign nationals on a security watch list.

 B.C. Liberal MLA Mike de Jong alleged in question period that Sims wrote the letters "in exchange for money."

Sims has denied money was ever discussed or that the individuals donated to her campaign. 

Sources told CBC News that Sims didn't see the letters before they were sent and an auto signature was used, but that she was making sure the error would not be repeated.