FIRED B.C. GOVERNMENT AIDE WILL PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO MARIJUANA CHARGES

VICTORIA - Another court date has been set for former B.C. government
insider David Basi on marijuana production charges.

Basi lost his job as chief political aide to Liberal house leader Gary
Collins the day after the RCMP raided the legislature last December.

He faces charges of marijuana production and possession for the purpose of
trafficking.

Basi's lawyer, Michael Bolton, appeared on his behalf Monday in provincial
court.

"He'll be pleading not guilty to these charges," Bolton said.

The allegations stem from the operation of a "grow-house" on Vancouver
Island.

It's unlikely Basi will attend his next hearing to enter the not-guilty plea
for himself.

"I'll likely appear on his behalf again at that time. It's not usual for the
defendant to appear on his own at these early cases," Bolton said.

Basi's next court date was set for Dec. 20.

A second ministerial aide, Bob Virk, remains suspended with pay from his job
in the aftermath of the police legislature raids.