Ex-MLA Hurlburt chooses trial in spending scandal

Richard Hurlburt has opted for a trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on charges in a spending scandal, but his lawyer has not ruled out the possibility of a guilty plea.

Hurlburt, the former Progressive Conservative MLA for Yarmouth, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Hurlburt was not in court. Defence lawyer Stan MacDonald appeared on his behalf and said his client wanted a trial before a judge alone.

A court date is scheduled for Sept. 22, and trial dates may be set then.

Hurlburt has not yet entered pleas on charges of fraud over $5,000, breach of trust by a public officer and uttering forged documents.

Outside the courtroom, MacDonald suggested that a guilty plea was possible.

"We're not ruling that out," he told reporters. "[Hurlburt] indicated in February 2010 that he made an error in judgment and his position hasn't changed."

The Crown is preparing for a trial.

"At this point there's nothing on the table, there's no deal," said Crown attorney Andrew Macdonald.

Hurlburt resigned his seat in February 2010 after the provincial auditor general questioned the constituency expenses of some MLAs, including the purchase of an $8,000 generator on Hurlburt's property.

The auditor general handed files over to the RCMP, who later charged Hurlburt and three others. They are Trevor Zinck, who sits as an Independent MLA, and Russell MacKinnon and Dave Wilson, who are no longer provincial politicians.