MONTREAL – Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque says he is putting his political career with the federal Green party on hold so he can fight fraud charges against him.
Laraque told a news conference in Montreal this morning it is important for him to be able to clear his name.
Party Leader Elizabeth May called it a sad day but reiterated her support for Laraque.
Laraque announced Thursday he was stepping down as deputy leader and was withdrawing his candidacy for the party in a Montreal-area byelection.
Earlier this year, media reported police near Montreal raided Laracque’s home in search of documents related to the Super-Glide synthetic ice venture.
Laraque confirmed earlier this week the criminal charges are related to two transactions worth a total of $120,000. He said the accusations stem from a dispute with engineer Marc Filion, who co-founded the company with him in 2009.
