Alberta’s chief electoral officer has found 23 cases where improper donations to political parties and constituency associations were made by municipalities and other public bodies.

In a news release, Elections Alberta said administrative penalties will be applied in 15 cases to “prohibited corporations” that made donations.

Eight of those situations occurred after April, 2010, when the law was changed to prohibit political entities from taking illegal donations. In those cases, the parties and constituency associations have been ordered to return funds.

In a further eight cases, contributors and recipients have been censured and ordered to implement procedures to ensure no repeat of the circumstances.

No cases have been referred for prosecution.

Nine files have been closed because no wrongdoing has occurred.

“I am satisfied that the remedies being applied are consistent with the law and appropriate to the situation,” said chief electoral officer Brian Fjeldheim in the statement.

Elections Alberta also reported a significant jump in cases that have been reviewed or are under review. There are now 73 files, compared to 53 cases two weeks ago.

The release does not identify any municipalities or political entities.

All public cases known to have been referred to Elections Alberta for investigation have involved the ruling Progressive Conservatives.

Calgary Herald, Thurs Mar 22 2012
Byline: James Wood