In a Sudbury courtroom this morning, the Crown has asked the court — a request the court granted — to “stay” proceedings in the criminal case against Liberal fundraiser Gerry Lougheed Jr.
A stay does not mean charges are dropped against the prominent local Liberal. What it does mean is the court proceedings are halted temporarily, something the Crown can request without having to offer an explanation.
The case can sit in this legal limbo for up to a year. If the Crown does not bring the case back to court, charges are considered dropped.
Lougheed was not in court today. His lawyer, Michael Lacy of Toronto firm Brauti Thorning Zibarras LLP, called it unfortunate that the Crown can request a stay without having to offer any explanation.
Lougheed is charged with one count of counselling an offence not committed and one count of unlawfully influencing or negotiating appointments, both Criminal Code offences.
The charges were laid following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police's Anti-Rackets Branch that began in January 2015. That's when former Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier released recordings of a conversation with Lougheed in which Olivier's future as a candidate was discussed.
In the conversation, which took place in December 2014, Lougheed tells Olivier that Premier Kathleen Wynne was supporting Glenn Thibeault as the party's candidate in the February byelection.
In addition to Lougheed's case, there's a parallel, non-criminal investigation ongoing into possible violations of Ontario's Elections Act.
Sudbury.com will update this story shortly.
