Suspended senator Mike Duffy says he is "looking forward to appearing in court," where he can make his case after the RCMP laid 31 charges against him in connection with allegations of misspending public money.

On Thursday, the RCMP announced that its investigation into Duffy is complete and the force will lay charges related to four "investigational avenues": Duffy’s living expense claims; his travel and personal expense claims unrelated to Senate business; the awarding of contracts; and the $90,000 cheque Duffy received from Wright to cover his residency expense claims.

Reached outside the Cavendish, Prince Edward Island cottage that is at the heart of some of the charges, Duffy said it would be "inappropriate" for him to comment.

"I am looking forward to appearing in court under oath and telling my story so Canadians will learn the truth," Duffy told CTV News Friday morning from the passenger seat of a van.

Meanwhile, one criminal lawyer said Friday thatthe prime minister’s former chief of staff, Nigel Wright, will likely be the “chief witness” in the prosecution’s case against Duffy.

The RCMP announced earlier this year that it could not find sufficient evidence to charge Wright in relation to the cheque. Criminal lawyer Marcy Segal said Friday that Wright will likely be the "chief witness" as the prosecution makes its case against Duffy on the three charges related to the cheque: bribery of a judicial officer, frauds on the government, and breach of trust.

Wright can argue that he was just trying to help Duffy repay housing expense claims that were later deemed ineligible, and so he "didn’t have any criminal intent," Segal told CTV’s Canada AM on Friday.

"Nigel Wright was very smart to give him a personal cheque," she said.

While speculation in Ottawa is that the prime minister could be called to testify, Segal said that would only serve to make the trial "more political, more sensational."

"I don’t see any reason or relevance for his evidence in terms of the bribery charge or on the fraud charges," Segal said. "It's not his interpretation of what the primary residence is."

On many occasions during the House of Commons’ daily question period, Harper has denied knowledge of the $90,000 cheque, and said he would not have approved of such a scheme if he had known about it. The opposition parties, however, have long alleged that Harper is aware of what went on.

"I believe that the prime minister has knowledge of what actually happened," Liberal MP Marc Garneau told reporters Thursday. "I think that the public expects an answer, and I hope that the government will finally provide those answers."

The RCMP charges come after a year-long investigation, during which police sifted through four years' worth of expense claims, phone records, thousands of emails and interviews with witnesses in four provinces.

The investigation began with a probe of Duffy’s housing expense claims relating to his cottage in Prince Edward Island. In the end, the investigation widened to include Duffy's travel and personal expense claims, consulting contracts he awarded, and the $90,000 cheque from Wright.

"These charges are the result of a careful examination of all the facts," RCMP Assistant Commissioner Gilles Michaud told reporters when announcing the charges Thursday morning.

The charges against Duffy break down as follows:

  • One count each of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust in relation to his residency expense claims.
  • Five counts of fraud under $5,000, four counts of fraud over $5,000 and nine counts of breach of trust in relation to his expense claims unrelated to Senate business.
  • Two counts of fraud over $5,000, two counts of fraud under $5,000 and four counts of breach of trust in relation to the awarding of consulting contracts.
  • One count each of bribery of a judicial officer, frauds on the government, and breach of trust in relation to the $90,000 cheque from Wright.

Duffy is scheduled to appear in court in Ottawa on September 16, a day after MPs return to the House of Commons following their summer break.

Duffy’s lawyer, Donald Bayne, said in a statement prior to the charges being announced that his client is innocent.

"Senator Duffy is thankful that the awful 16 months of waiting through a protracted and highly public police investigation is finally over, and we can move on to an impartial forum and fair hearing," Bayne said.

Jason MacDonald, the prime minister’s communications director, said Thursday the PMO has assisted the RCMP "throughout their investigation."

"Those who break the rules must suffer the consequences," MacDonald said, adding that the conduct described in the charges against Duffy “is disgraceful.”