Cliffhanger and other notes...

The afternoon session today ended with a cliffhanger of sorts.

Edelson had just started touching on the issue of finances. He asked Kilrea about the fundraising that went on during the 2006 mayoral campaign and how the $30,000 in funds was spent. Kilrea testifies that radio ads were paid for and mentions a Liberal event in Orleans. When Edelson presses him for where the rest of the money went, Kilrea says he can’t remember. He also says he may not have had signing authority to the account where the money was kept, but can’t remember.


Kilrea says he first thought he would have to drop out of the race in early August. Edelson suggests that by mid August, Kilrea had less than $5000 left and his prospects were weak, especially after being unable to raise money at a fundraiser. Edelson asks why Kilrea would then rent an office space in mid August when he pulled out of the race on August 31. Court is dismissed at this point.

Other points of interest today:

** Edelson told the court Kilrea was interested in the media limelight and way always looking to make a splash. Among his examples, he pointed to the dispute Kilrea had with then mayor Bob Chiarelli about light rail during the 2006 campaign. Edelson told the court that on three separate occasions in 2006, Kilrea said he spoke to John Baird and had confirmed that federal funding was not dependent on the route. In his testimony today, Kilrea said he never spoke with Baird, prompting Edelson to say that he was either lying in the courtroom or had lied to the public. He said “you misled the public, trying to show you’re a big shot.”

** Deeming it an “example of pettiness” Edelson tells the court that on the eve of the 2003 election, Kilrea filed a complaint about Chiarelli’s lawn signs. Kilrea testifies that according to the Municipal Elections Act, signs must be a certain distance away from polling stations. Edelson questions why Kilrea would file a complaint about signs in 2003 but not about a “bribe” in 2006.

** When Edelson discusses a complaint that Kilrea says he remembers filing, but not how it was resolved, Edelson asks, “Do you have a selective memory? Spotty amnesia?” Kilrea responds “No, but I can’t remember every single email.”

** Edelson offers to Kilrea what he calls “food for thought.” He tells the court that in her statements to police, Kilrea’s common law wife said Kilrea talked to her about a lack of funding and possibly dropping out of the race as early as June and July. Kilrea has testified that he hadn’t begun to think of that possibility until August.