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Decision about charges against Mike Duffy to be made soon: reports

We may soon have word about the future of Mike Duffy.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the RCMP are in the final stages of their investigation regarding the suspended Senator's alleged false expense claims and his acceptance of a $90,000 gift from Nigel Wright, the prime minister's former chief of staff.

Both Global News and the Toronto Star are reporting that a decision on whether or not to lay charges could come within the next month.

[ Related: RCMP drop investigation into Nigel Wright’s $90,000 gift to Mike Duffy ]

The reports come just days after RCMP decided not to lay charges against Wright.

"In June 2013, the RCMPs National Division initially launched an investigation of Nigel Wright with respect to his gifting of $90,000 to Senator Mike Duffy," the Mounties noted in a statement on Tuesday.

"When the RCMP initiated the investigation there were sufficient grounds to pursue the matter with regards to the offences of breach of trust, bribery, frauds on the government, as well as receiving prohibited compensation contrary to the Parliament of Canada Act.

"Upon completion of the investigation, we have concluded that the evidence gathered does not support criminal charges against Mr. Wright."

[ Related: Duffy-Wright probe: PMO gives hard drive to RCMP ]

Duff Conacher, the co-founder of citizen's group Democracy Watch, opines that the Wright decision likely means that Duffy won't get charged for accepting the $90,000 gift but could still face breach of trust charges for his expense claims.

"[Section] 119 1a [of the criminal code] says anyone being a member of parliament can't accept directly or indirectly money for something that they do or don't do and 'b' is someone can't offer or give it to them," Conacher, who teaches a course on the law of ethics in government at the University of Toronto," told Yahoo Canada News.

"So it would be so bizarre to say Duffy violated 119 1a and Wright didn't violate 119 1b. It takes two to tango."

Duffy has denied anything wrong doing with regard to the payment or his expense claims.

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Meanwhile, Conacher says that he was disappointed with the Wright decision and is asking that prosecutors provide a full explanation of why they chose not to lay charges.

"The public has a right to now...the reasons for the decision. And that means issuing a letter," he said arguing that it was a "legally incorrect decision."

"I'm quite sure the pressure is going to increase on them to do so."

As for Wright, he said he feels vindicated.

"I believed that my actions were always in the public interest and lawful," he said in a statement distributed to media by his lawyer on Tuesday.

"The outcome of the RCMP's detailed and thorough investigation has now upheld my position."

To date, the only charges the RCMP have laid — in relation to the so-called Senate scandal — are against suspended Senator Patrick Brazeau and former Liberal senator Mac Harb. Both men have been charged with breach of trust and fraud for allegedly inappropriately claiming taxpayer-funded housing allowances.

Will Duffy be as fortunate as Wright or will he be the third Senator to face charges?

It looks like we'll soon find out.

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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