OTTAWA – Promising “seven scandals in one,” German-born businessman Karlheinz Schreiber began testifying Tuesday morning into his business dealings with former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
But after years of saying he wanted his day in court, Schreiber quickly found his own statements under a microscope. Armed with five large volumes of documents, inquiry counsel Richard Wolson confronted Schreiber about conflicting statements he has made over the years concerning his relationship with Mulroney as well as when and where they met.
Schreiber also testified that he contributed $50,000 to Mulroney’s leadership campaign at the suggestion of German Christian Social Union politician Franz Josef Strauss because it was “pretty common” for the German Conservative movement to support Conservative politicians in other countries.
The dealings between Schreiber and Mulroney are at the heart of a complicated tale of money, politics and influence that is the subject of an inquiry headed by Justice Jeffery Oliphant.
The $14 million inquiry was set up to get to the bottom of conflicting claims between Schreiber and Mulroney. Among the questions the inquiry is probing is why Schreiber paid the former prime minister between $225,000 and $300,000, why the payments were made in cash and whether Mulroney agreed to work for Schreiber before or after he left office.
Schreiber is expected to testify all week.
