Conservative Candidate... Charged with Smuggling
Ruserious @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:11 pm
$1:
B.C. Conservative candidate to go on trial
Kathy Tomlinson, CTV News
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Derek Zeisman, who is running in the riding currently held by Conservative MP Jim Gouk, previously made national news for a serious car accident five days before Christmas.
Zeisman is still in hospital with injuries from that accident, and would not agree to an interview. However, he did speak with CTV News off-camera.
"I have had nothing to hide during this campaign and those charges which were not even criminal charges are unjustified," Zeisman said. "And when I have my day in court, I am very confident that I will be exonerated.
"I have no doubt about that whatsoever, but you know, again, I hope we still live in a democratic country where people are allowed to have their day in court before they're found guilty in the court of public opinion."
In July 2004, Zeisman was crossing into British Columbia from the United States, when Canada Customs charged him with attempting to smuggle in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and 112 containers of alcohol.
Zeisman is also accused of lying to Canada Customs about the incident.
Zeisman did not explain to CTV News why he didn't tell his own party about the charges, and blamed someone in government for leaking the information.
"I don't know if it came from the Department of Foreign Affairs or if it came from the Border Services Agency," he said. "Somebody obviously has a grudge to harbour."
Zeisman is a cross-border trade specialist, and up until the time of the charges he was working as a trade commission for the federal government.
The government knew about the charges, but the Conservative Party admits it didn't check his background with his former employer.
Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper, who signed Zeisman's nomination papers, says he relies on others for such checking.
"There is a screening process," Harper said. "My understanding is that it is supposed to look into criminal backgrounds and obviously rely on candidates to be forthcoming with information as well."
Duff Conacher of the group Democracy Watch said the party should have taken a better look at their candidate's background.
"They should be taking the initiative and making sure candidates for office maintain the highest ethical standard, so we're not in this situation," Conacher said.
However, he added, "the primary responsibility is with the candidate since they obviously had full knowledge and should have gone public with it even if they didn't tell the party in the first instance."
Zeisman's party bio says that in 2004, he began working as Gouk's part-time constituency assistant.
Gouk, who is retiring from politics, had previously hired Zeisman as his parliamentary assistant, working in both his Ottawa and Castlegar offices.
The Conservatives say despite just finding out about the charges, they will stand by their man and won't pull him out of the race.
Kathy Tomlinson, CTV News
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Derek Zeisman, who is running in the riding currently held by Conservative MP Jim Gouk, previously made national news for a serious car accident five days before Christmas.
Zeisman is still in hospital with injuries from that accident, and would not agree to an interview. However, he did speak with CTV News off-camera.
"I have had nothing to hide during this campaign and those charges which were not even criminal charges are unjustified," Zeisman said. "And when I have my day in court, I am very confident that I will be exonerated.
"I have no doubt about that whatsoever, but you know, again, I hope we still live in a democratic country where people are allowed to have their day in court before they're found guilty in the court of public opinion."
In July 2004, Zeisman was crossing into British Columbia from the United States, when Canada Customs charged him with attempting to smuggle in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and 112 containers of alcohol.
Zeisman is also accused of lying to Canada Customs about the incident.
Zeisman did not explain to CTV News why he didn't tell his own party about the charges, and blamed someone in government for leaking the information.
"I don't know if it came from the Department of Foreign Affairs or if it came from the Border Services Agency," he said. "Somebody obviously has a grudge to harbour."
Zeisman is a cross-border trade specialist, and up until the time of the charges he was working as a trade commission for the federal government.
The government knew about the charges, but the Conservative Party admits it didn't check his background with his former employer.
Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper, who signed Zeisman's nomination papers, says he relies on others for such checking.
"There is a screening process," Harper said. "My understanding is that it is supposed to look into criminal backgrounds and obviously rely on candidates to be forthcoming with information as well."
Duff Conacher of the group Democracy Watch said the party should have taken a better look at their candidate's background.
"They should be taking the initiative and making sure candidates for office maintain the highest ethical standard, so we're not in this situation," Conacher said.
However, he added, "the primary responsibility is with the candidate since they obviously had full knowledge and should have gone public with it even if they didn't tell the party in the first instance."
Zeisman's party bio says that in 2004, he began working as Gouk's part-time constituency assistant.
Gouk, who is retiring from politics, had previously hired Zeisman as his parliamentary assistant, working in both his Ottawa and Castlegar offices.
The Conservatives say despite just finding out about the charges, they will stand by their man and won't pull him out of the race.
What was that you cons were saying about honesty and ethics...
:lol::lol:
Numure @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:13 pm
At least he didnt mismanege millions of $$$ of our money.
Delwin @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:14 pm
OMFG, I need to think about this one...
ziggy @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:16 pm
Numure Numure:
At least he didnt mismanege millions of $$$ of our money.
I think that's billions but R u serious is still grasping at straws I see.
OnTheIce @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:24 pm
Ruserious, what does a Cross Border Trade Specialist do?
The man should have informed the Party. He let his own personal goals interfere with the better of the party.
However, I do like the Liberals dragging a guy through the mud that has been sitting in the hopital for 3 weeks. 
Delwin @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:26 pm
From Conservative Website:
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?Does this guy even know who is in his party?
Ruserious @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:31 pm
Delwin Delwin:
From Conservative Website:
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?
Good point Delwin..
For that matter, the cons seem to be lacking in their screening process which begs the question, if there's one, how many others are there that they've slipped up on.
And these guys want us to entrust them with controlling this country's borders?
OnTheIce OnTheIce:
Ruserious, what does a Cross Border Trade Specialist do?
Apparently a Cross Border Trade Specialist is someone who smuggles goods into the country illegally.
No wonder the cons don't want to ban handguns..
Lord-Beaverbrook @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:32 pm
Yes, what was he thinking!? They've been too busy concerned with Liberal corruption that they've neglected keeping order within their own party!!
maple_leaf1 @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:34 pm
[font=Lucida Console]Charges[/font]. They are called charges. Doesn't anyone know that all Canadians are innocent until proven guilty? We're talking about an individual here and not a party. Please wait until the verdict is given before trying to kill someone's reputation.
I would say the same for any person.
OnTheIce @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:35 pm
Delwin Delwin:
From Conservative Website:
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?Does this guy even know who is in his party?
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?Does this guy even know who is in his party?
You've taken the words out of context.
The quote you provided, in Bold mind you, it in regards to the smuggling of firearms.
Nice try though.
OnTheIce @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:36 pm
maple_leaf1 maple_leaf1:
[font=Lucida Console]Charges[/font]. They are called charges. Doesn't anyone know that all Canadians are innocent until proven guilty? We're talking about an individual here and not a party. Please wait until the verdict is given before trying to kill someone's reputation.
I would say the same for any person.
I would say the same for any person.
Only Liberals are innocent until proven guilty.
Lord-Beaverbrook @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:39 pm
Your cynicism is awful. Smuggling is still smuggling, the "beer and popcorn" was taken out of context, a couple rotten liberals were corrupted, now it would seem every other party has painted them as all corrupted, I believe it works both ways, friend.
Delwin @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:39 pm
OnTheIce OnTheIce:
Delwin Delwin:
From Conservative Website:
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?Does this guy even know who is in his party?
Conservatives call for five- and ten-year mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun crimes, hiring more police, cracking down on smuggling, and increased support for youth at risk.
From the CTV:
The Conservative Party was not aware that their candidate in the B.C. riding of British Columbia Southern Interior is due to go on trial next month on smuggling charges, and if convicted, he could end up in jail.
Wow, this guy can't even control the flow of crime in his own party, what is he thinking?Does this guy even know who is in his party?
You've taken the words out of context.
The quote you provided, in Bold mind you, it in regards to the smuggling of firearms.
Nice try though.
Measures to crack down on firearms smuggling and toughen security at Canada’s border crossings
Ruserious @ Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:40 pm
$1:
The Conservatives say despite just finding out about the charges, they will stand by their man and won't pull him out of the race.
So the cons support smuggling then...
As long as it's one of their own boys
