Key developments:

  • Crown alleges Duffy鈥檚 improperly claimed expenses included $8,000 to see daughter鈥檚 play and trip to Peterborough, Ont., to buy a puppy
  • Defence says emails will show that Duffy was forced to accept a repayment 鈥渟cenario鈥� orchestrated by Nigel Wright and three senators
  • Defence argues that Duffy can鈥檛 be blamed on Senate rules that 鈥渓ack clarity鈥�

 

THE SCENE

The first day of the much-anticipated Mike Duffy trial started off with a lineup outside the Ottawa courtroom, with some journalists arriving to claim a spot as early as 4:30 a.m. Also spotted in the lineup: a few Senate staffers, curious university students and a class from John M鈥巆Crae Secondary School. An overflow room was set up in court to accommodate all the spectators.

Duffy did not speak to reporters as he entered the courtroom, although it seemed like he wanted to. 鈥淣o, no, no, Mike we are going into court,鈥� his lawyer said as they moved past dozens of cameras and microphones.

OPENING STATEMENTS

The Crown alleged that Duffy billed taxpayers for inappropriately claimed living expenses and personal travel, such as trips related to the birth of his grandchild, seeing his daughter鈥檚 play and buying a puppy. Prosecutors also argued that Duffy is 鈥減robably ineligible鈥� to sit as a senator from Prince Edward Island, the province he represents in the Upper Chamber, because he has lived just outside of Ottawa for years.

In his opening statement, Duffy鈥檚 lawyer Donald Bayne essentially argued that his client was 鈥渟ingled out鈥� and that he can鈥檛 be blamed for unclear and vague Senate expense rules and administrative errors. 

Bayne said the defence has sorted through thousands of emails and put together a chronological narrative -- gathered in a massive binder -- of what happened 鈥渂ehind the political façade鈥� when the prime minister鈥檚 former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, wrote Duffy a $90,000 cheque to cover his disputed expenses. 

Bayne alleged that Wright, the Prime Minister鈥檚 Office and three senators forced his client to capitulate to what he called the 鈥淒uffy scenario鈥� and a 鈥渓ie for political purposes鈥� that would allow the Senate to sweep the expenses scandal under the rug.

EVIDENCE

Among the exhibits tabled in court Tuesday:

  • Duffy's residency declarations
  • Scotiabank records
  • Travel expense claims 鈥�
  • Duffy鈥檚 calendar from 2009-2012鈥�

END OF DAY

Duffy left court at the end of the day, with a vehicle waiting for him on Elgin Street. He was followed by a crush of reporters, but did not say anything.

Duffy is expected to testify at some point in the trial.

The trial resumes Wednesday morning. The judge told the court Tuesday that he doesn't take many breaks.

ANALYSIS

Legal expert Carissima Mathen told CTV鈥檚 Power Play that although this is a political spectacle, we must remember that it is also a criminal trial and that the Crown is trying to prove a pattern of abuse of public money.

Mathen said it鈥檚 unusual that the defence immediately challenged a lot of the Crown鈥檚 factual premises in its opening statement. She said Bayne also clearly 鈥済ave notice鈥� that Duffy鈥檚 team has a lot of information that could be potentially incriminating for others.