HIGH PRICE OF EVIDENCE
Reported on January 10, 1997
The Barrie Advance The Era Banner
By Roy Green

Although the newspapers and the airwaves were full of reports, commentary and opinion on the federal government's settlement of that $50-million lawsuit with Brian Mulroney, there are some questions that didn't get asked.

If the RCMP's case was as bad as we've heard, how come the legal fees are so high? Taxpayers are on the hook for a reported $1 million for Mulroney's lawyers and another million for the government's lawyers. From what I gather, the evidence was so under whelming the case could have been settled in five minutes by the guys at POINTTS.

The RCMP says it's continuing with the investigation. If we're also apologizing to Frank Moores and Karlheinz Schreiber, who is being investigated? And if it's already cost us $2 million to get no evidence on Brian Mulroney, how much will it cost to get evidence - any evidence - against anybody?

Suppose, just suppose, the continuing investigation uncovers evidence that Mulroney did, indeed, take bribes in the Airbus case. Will we get our $1 million back?

Has anyone checked under the shoes in Mila Mulroney's closet for evidence?

I can't remember now, but was it ever determined that any bribes were paid to anyone?

And anyway, given the public perception of Brian Mulroney, wouldn't it have been better to go to court, lose the case and let the judge decide whether Mulroney's reputation was worth $50 million or 50 cents?