VICTORIA: New Democratic Party MLA Harry Lali was charged recently with assault resulting from a family dispute earlier this spring.

Lali (Yale-Lillooet) was charged with assaulting his sister, Harbhajan (Joan) Nann, on or about April 1 in their home town of Merritt

He was charged after special prosecutor James Jardine reviewed the findings of an RCMP investigation the RCMP recommended the laying of the charge, according to a news release from the Attomey general’s ministry.

Lali could not be reached for comment.

He is charged with a summary offence which is less serious than an indictable offence. A summary conviction carries a maximum six month jail term and $2,000 fine.

Lali, 34, is scheduled to appear in Merritt provincial court July 20.

NDP caucus chair Jan Pullinger said the government caucus is “concemed” about the charge, but she expects Lali to continue attending caucus meeting.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 31, 1992