Nalcor CEO takes exception to former board's search for dirt on government
The head of Nalcor Energy says he has issues with the effort by the organization's former board of directors to "dig up dirt" on the Newfoundland and Labrador government.
Stan Marshall, CEO of the Crown corporation, said on Friday that while he did not hold individual staff members liable, he took exception to the board's search for "ammo" in a public relations battle with the Liberals.
"Digging up dirt on anybody? I have a lot of problems with that," he said at a press conference.
Documents obtained by The Telegram show that the Nalcor board told staff to find incriminating information on Premier Dwight Ball and Finance Minister Cathy Bennett, in order to put "ammo in [their] assault rifles."
Derrick Sturge, a vice-president at Nalcor, was one of the staff who compiled, according to the paper, forwarding an old letter that Bennett sent to The Telegram.
But Marshall said Friday that Sturge shouldn't be held personally responsible.
"He personally wasn't trying to do anything. He was just trying to do his job as requested by the members of the board of directors."
Frosty relationship
The relationship between Nalcor and the government took a dive in the spring, following a tough budget speech by Cathy Bennett which took aim at the company.
- Former Nalcor CEO Ed Martin releases severance agreement, details exit pay
- Liberals put Nalcor on notice, and on edge, with broadside in budget
After the speech, Ken Marshall — then board chair — said employees had been "kicked in the stomach and teeth with...a vitriolic and unfair attack," according to the messages the Telegram obtained under access to information.
Ex-CEO Ed Martin's departure followed shortly afterwards, followed by the mass resignation of the Nalcor board of directors.
With files from Peter Cowan