By Leah Murray

UCP member Derek Fildebrandt under fire for expense claims

Aug 15, 2017 | 6:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — MLA Derek Fildebrandt is finding himself in hot water once again, this time for double dipping on his expense claims.

Fildebrandt is currently on a leave of absence as finance critic after it was revealed he earned money off of his taxpayer funded home by renting it on Airbnb.

In a statement the UCP member said administrative errors are to blame for issues surrounding his meal expenses.

Fildebrandt said the errors led to him claiming both restaurant expenses and a daily meal allowance for the same meals on multiple occasions.

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Documents appear to show the Strathmore-Brooks MLA made duplicate claims nine times.

Fildebrandt said he’s taking full responsibility and will pay back the $192 discrepancy.

Alberta party leader Greg Clark said something needs to be done to address these issues right across the board.

“I’m calling for an audit of all MLA living expense and meal expenses,” said Clark. “I’m also calling for penalties to be put in place where MLAs break the rules, there should be a penalty.”

UCP interim leader Nathan Cooper issued a statement Monday night saying the caucus is looking into the matter.

“These expense claims are concerning and appear to be part of a larger pattern of behaviour that is unacceptable for a member of the United Conservative Party caucus,” read the statement from Cooper.

UCP leadership hopeful Brian Jean not mincing words about the matter Tuesday.

Jean said he’s disappointed in Fildebrandt and that members need to have proper ethics.

“This is tax payers hard earned money,” Jean stated. “This is not the proper approach to take. When you are a servant of the people and working for the people of Alberta you need to take that seriously and you cannot be seen to be doing this type of behaviour.”

The expense claim discrepancies have been forwarded to the Speaker’s office for review.

Under the Members Allowance Order, Fildebrandt could be ordered to reimburse the money which he has already said he will do.