Nigel Wright begins testimony at Mike Duffy trial
by The Canadian Press
Wright infamously gave Duffy $90,000 to assist with the repayment of the senator's dubious expense filings
OTTAWA—Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff has arrived at an Ottawa courthouse to face a crush of cameras on his first day of testimony at the trial of Sen. Mike Duffy.
Nigel Wright arrived in a taxi and walked with his lawyer past a throng of reporters and prepared to begin his highly anticipated testimony in what’s expected to be a courtroom moment rich in legal and political drama.
He smiled politely at times as he made his way into the building but declined to comment about the case.
“I think we have to respect the questions that will be answered on the inside,” he said.
Duffy arrived shortly afterward but did not speak.
The third phase of the trial will get under way at 10 a.m.
The lawyer and businessman has lived his life away from the public eye since he left his job as the prime minister’s right-hand man.
Wright gave Duffy the infamous $90,000 to assist with the repayment of the senator’s dubious expense filings.
The transaction is at the heart of criminal charges that Duffy is now fighting in court.
