EDMONTON - Alberta's ethics commissioner says he can't conduct an investigation into a fundraiser by a failed Tory leadership candidate because it falls into a rare category outside his purview.
Neil Wilkinson says the issue around the Gary Mar event is more one of alleged misconduct of a civil servant rather than his area, which is conflict of interest.
Wilkinson says it's understandable that Premier Alison Redford handed the case to him, because his office has conducted all such investigations involving senior officials.
Wilkinson could not elaborate on the circumstances of the Mar case that prompted his decision because he is bound by confidentiality rules.
He has sent the investigation back to the government, where it will be handled by senior civil servant Peter Watson.
Last week, Redford suspended Mar from his job as Alberta's trade envoy to Asia after allegations he used his job to raise money to pay off private debts.
© The Canadian Press, 2012