Nigel Wright, a prominent businessman and former chief of staff to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has died at the age of 62.Wright was a central figure in the 2015 Senate expense scandal, and his death brings a close to a chapter marked by political controversy and legal scrutiny.
Wright’s involvement stemmed from a $90,000 payment he personally made to Senator Mike Duffy to reimburse questionable expense claims. At the time, Wright stated his intention was to ensure taxpayers were not responsible for the expenses, asserting in a 2014 statement, “I have always believed that my actions were in the public and legal interest.” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigated the matter for months but ultimately concluded there was no evidence to support criminal charges against Wright.
Duffy himself faced 31 charges, including accepting a bribe, but was ultimately found not guilty in 2015. The judge presiding over the case, however, characterized the actions of Harper’s cabinet members as “unacceptable and astounding.” In 2017, the Ethics Commissioner determined Wright had violated federal conflict of interest rules, though the commissioner lacked the authority to impose sanctions.
Prior to his role in the Prime Minister’s Office, Wright was a managing director at Onex Corporation. He returned to Onex in 2014,joining the firm’s london office.
