Dave Wilson, former MLA to run for political office in Cape Breton municipality
'I'd like a second shot, a second chance,' says former Glace Bay MLA
Dave Wilson, the disgraced former MLA who was found guilty of defrauding taxpayers of $61,000 in 2012, is attempting to make a return to politics.
The 60-year-old has officially filed papers to run as a candidate in this fall's Cape Breton Regional Municipality election.
Wilson served for 10 years as MLA for Glace Bay, N.S., until it was discovered he defrauded Nova Scotia taxpayers of large sums of money to support a gambling addiction.
He resigned in March 2010.
In April 2012, he was sentenced to nine months in jail and 18 months probation. He was released after four months.
Found work in community radio
After a brief stint painting houses, Wilson, who had been a household name for years because of his work in broadcasting, was offered a job in 2013 at Coastal Community Radio.
Now that he has announced his candidacy for District 10 — an area that encompasses Dominion, Gardiner Mines and large portions of Reserve Mines and Glace Bay — he must step away from his on-air duties until after the election.
On Tuesday, Wilson told reporters he is slowly paying back the $61,000 he owes the province in agreed-upon installments.
"I made arrangements with the Justice Department and the Province of Nova Scotia to start my restitution. It's still ongoing. They're happy with it, and I'm happy with it," he said.
'A second shot'
Wilson admits to being "nervous" about running for office after being away from politics for six years, but said he's eager to advocate for people again and take their concerns to government.
"I'd like a second shot, a second chance of doing exactly that," he said.
Stating firmly that his gambling addiction is behind him and dealt with, Wilson said he's anxious to start the door-to-door campaign.
He'll be running against former longtime councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger, who returned to Cape Breton after working as a labourer in Alberta for 18 months, and political newcomer Brian Shaw.
He said people in Glace Bay have been "tremendously supportive" and is counting on them to give him that second chance.
"That means all the world to me," said Wilson.
With files from Gary Mansfield