Erik Bornmann Explained

Erik Bornmann (also spelled Bornman), LL.B, B.Comm. (b. 20 May 1976 in Canada) was a key Crown witness in the corruption trial related to the BC Rail scandal.[1] Bornmann is a former consultant and founding partner of Pilothouse Public Affairs.[2] [3] [4] He has worked as a communications consultant in provincial and federal elections and as a strategist for the BC Liberal Party and the Liberal Party of Canada.[4]

BC Legislature raids

Bornmann was involved in events in late 2003 surrounding what has become known as the BC Legislature Raids.[5] [6] He is alleged to have illegally paid almost $30,000 to British Columbia government officials for private information.[7] [8] [9] He is a key witness in a trial that pertains to the BC Legislature Raids.[10]

A police raid took place on ministerial offices in the BC Legislature in December 2003[11] after the RCMP obtained search warrants from the BC Supreme Court,[12] [13] leading to charges against two former government employees, partly due to information provided to police by Bornmann. Later, in 2006, three more were charged.

Dave Basi, aide to former finance minister Gary Collins, and Robert Virk, assistant to former transport minister Judith Reid, faced six charges: demanding or accepting benefits including money, meals, travel and employment opportunities in connection with the bidding process for BC Rail, fraud and breach of trust, two counts of fraud of more than $5,000.

Notes and References

  1. News: Hume. Mark. How Erik Bornman went from powerful B.C. lobbyist to star Crown witness. 14 September 2014. Globe and Mail. Feb 17, 2011.
  2. News: Mickleburgh. Rod. A tip of the hat to PM Harper; a fond look back at Molly's Reach. Globe and Mail. 2006-11-18. 2007-01-08.
  3. News: Cowan. Andrew Thomas. Information to Obtain a Search Warrant. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2004-09-29. PDF. 2007-01-08.
  4. Web site: Bornman . Erik . Considering a Career in Public Affairs . jobspublicaffairs.com . March 2005 . 2007-01-08 .
  5. Web site: Who's who in the B.C. Raids. CBC News. 2007-01-05.
  6. Web site: 'There is nothing to these charges'. The Globe and Mail. 2007-01-05.
  7. Web site: More warrant information released in B.C. Leg. raid . The Vancouver Sun . 2007-01-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121107073122/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=ff5d98a3-f197-44b8-ad8e-11d61bfd6b2e&k=25967 . 2012-11-07 .
  8. News: Former B.C. lobbyist Erik Bornmann to seek adjournment at law society hearing. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-01-05. https://archive.today/20130115075335/http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/061120/n112065A.html. 2013-01-15. dead.
  9. Web site: Aide sold BC Rail data: RCMP allege. The Vancouver Sun. 2007-01-05. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061214143256/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=5b67f0be-496a-4b45-9685-1b1df2882f09&k=76589. 2006-12-14.
  10. News: Two former government aides charged. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-01-05 . 2004-12-22.
  11. Web site: B.C. Raids. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-01-05.
  12. News: Basi, Virk warrant information released. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2007-01-05 . 2006-04-03.
  13. Web site: Probe Throws Light on the Liberal Players. The Georgia Straight. 2007-01-05.