Laura Miller named B.C. Liberal election campaign director despite facing criminal charges

B.C. Liberal Party executive director Laura Miller has been named the party's campaign director for the May 9, 2017 provincial election, despite facing criminal charges in Ontario for allegedly deleting emails.

Miller introduced her new role to supporters in an emailed statement.

"As my first official update as 2017 campaign director, I'm happy to report that our party is in great shape to take on a very busy fall, which kicked off on Saturday with Premier Christy Clark's acclamation at the annual Beans'n'Jeans event in West Kelowna," Miller wrote. 

The announcement comes despite questions about Miller's suitability for the role given the Ontario charges.

The trial for the former deputy chief of staff to then Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty is set for September 2017.

Reinstated by B.C. Liberals 

Miller has been charged with breach of trust, mischief and misuse of a computer system to commit mischief in connection with allegations she deleted computer files related to the controversial decision to cancel gas plants in Ontario.

When she was charged, Miller stepped down from her job as executive director of the B.C. Liberal Party but was reinstated in March.

Miller returned to British Columbia in 2013 after McGuinty left office. Premier Christy Clark said at the time she supported the decision to bring her back.

"It's the fair and right approach," Clark said in a statement. "One that respects our court process, including the fundamental principle that every person is innocent unless proven otherwise."

Fundraising for legal costs

Miller has raised more than $75,000 on an online crowdfunding site that was launched to help cover her legal fees.

Clark's former chief of staff Ken Boessenkool and MLA John Les are listed online as contributors to her legal fund. 

High-profile Ontario lawyer Scott Hutchison has been retained by Miller to act as her legal counsel.