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Senate committee knew about Pamela Wallin’s irregular expenses 18 months ago

The Tory-dominated Internal Economy Committee was warned about Pamela Wallin's questionable travel claims a year-and-a-half ago and did nothing about it.

According to the Canadian Press, Conservative Senator David Tkachuk, who serves as committee chair, offered "to raise the issue with Wallin on a one-to-one basis."

When things didn't change, that's when two senators — one Liberal and one Conservative — "pushed" the committee to bring in an independent audit firm, according to the report.

Wallin — who is under fire for claiming over $375,000 in travel claims in just 2 years — is now being investigated by Deloitte. Their report is expected to be released some time this summer.

[ Related: Pamela Wallin lives 'a lucrative life' outside the Senate: report ]

Coincidentally perhaps, just hours before the CP report, Tkachuk told his Senate colleagues that he would step down as chair but stay on the committee as he prepares to undergo “preventative treatment” for cancer.

"I don’t like to leave jobs unfinished, but at the same time, I don’t want to add to the committee’s problems," he said in the Senate chamber, according to CTV News.

"Given the present preoccupation of the committee, its chair needs to be available to deal with situations as it unfolds — whether that means meeting next week, or meetings over the next few months, when the Senate is not sitting. Given my present state of health, there is no guarantee that I would be available for these meetings."

[ Related: Senate expense scandal isn’t going away any time soon ]

Tkachuk and his committee colleagues — who were charged to review the expense claims of Wallin along with Senators Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau and Mac Harb — don't have a stellar record of late.

Tkachuk, along with Carolyn Stewart Olsen are the two senators alleged to have white-washed Duffy's audit report which has now be re-edited and sent to the RCMP.

There also seems to be question about exactly how much Harb owes, according to a recent report by the Globe and Mail.

On Tuesday, the committee met with Auditor General Michael Ferguson as he gets set to begin his work to review the expenses of all Senators.

According to Sun Media, Ferguson's timing and expected completion date of that audit will be known "when the extent and scope are determined."

(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)

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