The former CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation says he was not in conflict of interest when buying expensive wines from companies for which his son was an agent.

Auditor General Julia Mullaley released a scathing report on the activities of Steve Winter, who was appointed by the PCs and sacked by the Liberals.

Most purchasing transactions at the Liquor Corporation are done by staff who are experts in their field but, for the six per cent of Bordeaux Wines, Steve Winter made all the decisions, involving companies represented by his son Greg who, as agent, would have earned commission. Winter says he dealt with the wine companies, not the agents for those companies.

Included in the report is an email exchange in which Winter admits he is ordering the wine because of his son’s association.

Julia Mullaley sees that as conflict of interest not necessarily by legal definition, but definitely by perception.

Winter Claims Canning was Based Off Appointment

 

Meanwhile, Steve Winter says he was sacked by the Liberals for one reason only: He was appointed by the PCs.

Finance Minister Tom Osborne indicated yesterday that when he saw what was going on, he wanted to clean up the corporation—starting with the CEO.

Yesterday, Auditor-General Julia Mullaley found Winter to be in conflict of interest for making decisions to purchase expensive Bordeaux wines from companies for which his son was an agent and entitled to commission.

Steve Winter says he wasn’t a PC when he was appointed to the job, but he became a PC when he was fired.

He says they’re making a mountain out of a molehill and that he did a good job in improving revenue for the corporation while CEO.