MLA spending audit handed to RCMP

The probe into MLA spending in Nova Scotia may be turning into a criminal investigation.

CBC News has confirmed that Jacques Lapointe, the auditor general, has given documents from his forensic audit to the RCMP.

Lapointe will present his report at Province House Tuesday. He launched his forensic investigation after his audit of MLA spending created a public outcry.

It's unclear whether the names of the MLAs who were the subject of the forensic audit will be made public.

Lapointe has not named the people he is investigating. However, CBC News has learned that former MLA Richard Hurlburt is one of them.

Hurlburt resigned his Yarmouth seat after Lapointe noted that he had spent $8,000 of taxpayers' money on a generator that he kept at his home.

When contacted by CBC News on Monday, Hurlburt refused to comment about the investigation or his spending while an MLA.

David Wilson, who resigned as MLA for Glace Bay, was also under scrutiny for payments allegedly made to his constituency assistants, CBC News has learned.

Lapointe released his initial report on MLA expenses on Feb. 3. He found some current and former MLAs such as Hurlburt had made inappropriate or excessive expenses, partly because of inadequate spending controls.

A public outcry ensued and Lapointe launched his forensic audit into specific MLA expenses the following week.

His work included matching up receipts with actual purchases.

Last week, Lapointe said he would contact police himself if he felt a police investigation was warranted.