Admits fault, but lashes out at officials
Winnipeg Free Press
Friday, January 13th, 2006
By Mike McIntyre
Former Winnipeg city councillor Garth Steek pleaded guilty yesterday to not filing an audited financial statement during his failed run for mayor in the 2004 municipal byelection.
Steek, who acted as his own lawyer, was fined $1,155 and becomes the first person ever convicted under the city bylaw since it was enacted in 1989.
He admitted fault yesterday, but lashed out at city officials for ignoring "dozens" of similar incidents from other mayoral and council hopefuls over the years.
"When you have a bylaw on the books for 17 years and there's never been a prosecution until now, it's somewhat disconcerting," he told court.
"This is unprecedented what has happened here. I respect the court and the process and am not taking this matter lightly. But I am not a scofflaw."
Steek said there was an "understanding" among candidates that there wouldn't be consequences for not filing, based on the city's inaction in the past.
"If the clerk's office had made it clear (that there would be charges), there would have been total compliance," he said.
Provincial court Judge Kelly Moar said Steek has only himself to blame because he was well aware of the rules.
"It causes me some concern that, as an experienced politician, it was a conscious decision on your behalf to break the law," he said.
Steek said he filed audited statements during his first three elections, but decided not to bother after he finished third to Sam Katz in 2004.
"I didn't file because I had no intention of running again for re-election," Steek said yesterday.
Not filing a statement disqualifies a candidate from running again in the next municipal election.
Coun. Jae Eadie, who chairs the council committee that governs rules and regulations, admitted earlier this month that he was "embarrassed" it has taken the city this long to finally crack down.
Steek asked yesterday to be spared a fine for his crime, but Moar said a message must be sent to him and others that compliance isn't an option. The maximum fine is $5,000. Steek has until Feb. 1 to pay his penalty.
Six other people were also charged earlier this month with failing to file statements after the 2004 byelection.
Former city councillor Shirley Timm-Rudolph, River Heights hopeful Jocelyn Greenwood, St. Boniface candidate Marcel Boille, one-time mayoral candidate John Scoles and former city councillor Kenneth Wong all appeared in court yesterday, with several ready to dispose of their charges.
Timm-Rudolph -- who finished seventh in the mayoral race -- was in tears as she spoke of the stress of being charged and her desire to quickly end the case.
But the group was forced to adjourn matters to Feb. 2 to allow the Crown attorney more time to review his position on the cases.
Former councillor Al Golden is also facing charges, but didn't appear in court yesterday. Golden must appear on Feb. 2 or a warrant will be issued for his arrest, Moar said.
Golden, who ran fifth to Katz, has previously told the Free Press he plans to plead not guilty.
The audited statements were supposed to be filed by May 31, 2005, for candidates who participated in the byelection or Aug. 23, 2004, for candidates who withdrew or were not nominated. Fifteen of the 22 candidates did comply.
The campaign-finance bylaw applies to all candidates, including fringe candidates who don't spend or receive a penny.
Special prosecutor Craig Murray took legal action at the end of 2005 at the request of the city.
Wong, a councillor during the 1970s, lost the River Heights-Fort Garry ward contest to Donald Benham. He said he believes the city decided to take action because they had a "VIP" group this time.
"They decided they've got to make examples out of a few people," Wong said outside court.
"A wide net has been thrown and we're all being drawn in."
Wong said he actually turned over his numbers to the city, but refused to spend $600 on a formal audit by a certified accountant.
Eadie said the prosecution has nothing to do with a city hall probe into questionable credit-card expenses racked up by Steek during his final few months in office.
"That is a separate issue," he said.
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