Outsted Liberal organizer Fraser Piccott says fundraising pitch an 'innocent mistake'

Though he understands how it may be interpreted that way, ousted Liberal campaigner Fraser Piccott says he never meant to suggest in a recent fundraising letter that contributors to Tom Osborne's re-election campaign would receive special treatment if the party formed government.

In a statement to CBC News Tuesday, Piccott said he has supported the Liberal party for three decades, and would never intentionally jeopardize the party or Osborne's campaign for re-election.

"The language used in the email I sent to the heavy civil association last week was not meant to imply that Mr. Osborne, as a potential future minister, would give special treatment to his campaign donors," Piccott wrote.

"Upon reflection, I see how the language could be interpreted that way, but again, this was absolutely not my intent."

No knowledge, approval from Osborne

Osborne, the candidate for Waterford Valley, announced unexpectedly Nov. 20 he was replacing Piccott — a one-time president of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.

He said the decision followed a revelation that Piccott made an appeal to members of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for campaign donations.

Osborne said it was done without his knowledge or approval, and that he had apologized to the association.

Osborne did not release a copy of Piccott's letter to the association, but CBC News has obtained a copy.

The email message reminds the association that Osborne previously served as critic for transportation and works in the Liberal caucus, and that he would "hopefully" be the department's next minister if the Liberals form government after the Nov. 30 election.

Piccott suggested Osborne will "make an excellent supporter for the road building/water and sewer industry as we move into 2016."

An innocent mistake, says Piccott

He goes on to reference a proposal by the federal Liberals to increase infrastructure spending by billions of dollars over the next decade, and then mentions Osborne's "connection to the federal minister."

It's not clear, but it's believed Piccott is referring to Bonavista-Burin-Trinity MP Judy Foote, who was named Minister of Public Services and Procurement earlier this month by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Piccott explained that a "private reception" for Osborne's supporters was being planned during the association's annual meeting in January, and concluded by inviting campaign donations.

In his statement, Piccott said he was "simply expressing my hope that Mr. Osborne would be successful in his campaign and in becoming a minister in the future. I regret that the casual tone of my email was taken out of context."

He said the controversy has been difficult on him and his family, and called the whole affair an "innocent mistake."

Osborne has previously described Piccott's actions as inappropriate and misguided.

In his letter of apology to the Heavy Civil Association, Osborne said he is "committed to uphold the ethical standards of openness, transparency and accountability and therefore I have acted quickly to remove Mr. Piccott as the CFO for my campaign."

The Heavy Civil Association represents companies who build roads, sewers and other infrastructure.

Email Fraser Piccott sent to members of the Heavy Civil Association

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