'I made a mistake' claiming housing allowance, says embattled senator Duffy
OTTAWA - Embattled Conservative Sen. Mike Duffy says he "may have made a mistake" when he claimed a housing allowance that he now says he plans to pay back.
Duffy showed up today at the CBC's studios in Charlottetown, where he promptly admitted in an interview that he erred in filling out the claim form and was wrong to claim the allowance.
He says both the form and the rules are vague and confusing.
Duffy has faced questions over $33,000 in living allowances he has claimed since 2010, despite also having a home in the Ottawa area.
Opposition MPs have questioned whether Duffy's primary residence is a cottage in Cavendish, P.E.I., as he has repeatedly stated.
The Constitution requires senators to reside in the provinces they are appointed to represent.
Duffy is being audited along with fellow senators Pamela Wallin, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau following questions about their housing expense claims.
