Ex-MLA Dave Wilson's case delayed

A judge has adjourned the case of a former provincial Liberal facing 33 charges related to the spending scandal at the Nova Scotia legislature.

Dave Wilson, the former member for Glace Bay, was expected to enter a plea Thursday but the case was set over until Sept. 2 because Wilson recently retained a new lawyer.

Wilson did not appear in provincial court.

He faces 31 charges of uttering forged documents and one count each of breach of trust and fraud.

Wilson was represented by Halifax lawyer Alfred Seaman, who told the court that his client had only recently retained defence lawyer Steven O'Leary of Glace Bay.

Outside court, Crown attorney Andrew Macdonald said Wilson had to hire a new lawyer after his former counsel, Mark Gouthro, was recently appointed as a Crown attorney in Sydney.

"We put the matter over to give Mr. O'Leary an opportunity to familiarize himself with the file," said Macdonald.

Wilson resigned without explanation in March 2010, saying only that he could no longer fulfil his duties.

He is one of three former members of the legislature charged by the RCMP in February following a nine-month investigation. One current member of the legislature has also been charged.

The investigation was initiated after auditor general Jacques Lapointe gave police forensic audit files on specific transactions involving five former and one current member of the legislature.