The Liberal Party is under some pressure to take action on the growing questions surrounding Liberal Party director (Ontario wing) David Pretlove's strange offer to reimburse the London riding association almost $15,000, discovered missing in January. The offer was conditional on a written assurance that the police not get involved. The offer was turned down and the police were called in. Strange as that offer was in January, it is now seen as downright suspicious when it was learned that the woman charged this week in the theft, Suzan Pawlak, was on Pretlove's staff when Pretlove made his offer.

The Liberal Party is officially denying any knowledge of the events, and says Pretlove isn't going to be a Liberal for much longer:

Michael Crawley, president of the Ontario wing of the party, said Pretlove's offer was made without the knowledge or authorization of party brass.

He said Pretlove decided some time ago he'd be leaving the party, so seeking his suspension is a "moot point."

I would beg to differ. Even if he was planning to leave at 5pm, suspending him at 4:30 would still send a message. But then this is the Liberal Party. Best to let problems just go away.

Of course, the problem won't go away. The questions revolve his actions from several months ago. If Pretlove had knowledge of his staffer's actions, and had attempted to use his position in the party to suppress an investigation, it calls into question his judgment. His actions might even be criminal, depending on what he knew. The Liberal Party has to be concerned too. If Pretlove did know what Pawlak is alleged to have done, and was trying to protect her, the reason behind that could be very significant, and might require a detailed analysis and audit of the workings of his office going back to last December or even earlier.

Maybe the Michael Crawley and Pretlove's other colleagues in the Liberal Party executive would like to see this go away, and aren't motivated to investigate Pretlove's actions, but I bet Liberal Party rank-and-file members whose party membership fees and donations made up that $15,000 in missing cash would like to know more about what is going on.

But then since Liberal bloggers to date have ignored this story, rank-and-file members might not know what is going on. All the more reason that the press needs to step up to the plate on the David Pretlove story.

Check out other entries from the David Pretlove category
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Check out what Canadian bloggers have posted about David Pretlove
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