This story is fascinating, not because of the plea deal (I still see that as routine and likely caused by some weakness in the Crown case -- there is no way the PMO would, or could, get involved in this) but because of the background leading to the charges against Jaffer.
What is specially interesting is the alleged trading on former political connections. My guess is the trading (if it really happened) was puffery -- I can't see it being real -- and the legions of angry business people who lost money suggest puffery.
Still, meetings at strip clubs, escorts and hired muscle are pretty far away from the social conservative roots of the CPC -- who knows, maybe they have "evolved" and we'll see a radical reappraisal of, say, the drug laws? Good reason to bring Jaffer back and make him Minister of Justice?
http://tinyurl.com/yabekm9
The booze was flowing on the back patio at Harbour 60 Steakhouse in downtown Toronto.
Nazim Gillani of International Strategic Investments, four business associates, and three busty hookers dined in style last Sept. 10.
Former MP Rahim Jaffer, a self-described peddler of government grants, credits and loans, was in fine form, chatting up prospective clients. Early the next morning, Gillani would greet the day with a colourful email to the night's guests: "Mr. Jaffer has opened up the Prime Minister's office to us," he boasted, unaware at the time of how Jaffer's night had ended. Gillani is a character. By last September, at least two major police departments and the federal taxman were after him on fraud or tax evasion allegations.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4
416 225 2777
www.jmortonmusings.blogspot.com
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