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MONTREAL, Que. -- A hockey celebrity-turned-politician, running in an upcoming federal byelection for the Green party, has confirmed that he is facing fraud charges. Georges Laraque has told The Canadian Press that hes innocent of the alleged crimes and intends to remain a candidate in an upcoming Montreal byelection. He says his party is aware of the allegations, which stem from a previously reported dispute with a former business partner, and has been supportive. Laraque confirmed a report by the French-language sports network RDS that the provinces director of criminal and penal prosecutions has recommended charges following an investigation by Longueuil municipal police. Earlier this year, it was publicly reported that the police raided his home in search of documents related to the Super-Glide synthetic ice venture. Laraque confirmed in an interview Wednesday night that 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. "I find it bizarre to hear that Im being accused of fraud by an associate who didnt put a single penny into the company," Laraque told The Canadian Press. He has a court appearance scheduled for Nov. 19. In the meantime, he plans to continue door-knocking in Montreals Bourassa riding. The vegan animal-rights activist is vying to become the countrys second Green MP, after leader Elizabeth May, when a byelection is called there. He conceded, however, that the criminal allegations will make his task more difficult. "Its obviously not good and Ill have to spend a lot of time offering explanations, to reassure people. Ill have to explain that this isnt the Charbonneau commission and this has nothing to do with the Mafia," Laraque said. But he added that hes benefiting from the support of his party, for which he holds a formal role as deputy leader. "Theyve seen my defence and have seen the witnesses defending me. They were reassured to see that even if I have to go to court, Ill get through this." In the past, May has defended Laraque but said shed ask him to step aside as deputy leader for the duration of any investigation if he were the focus of the police probe. Laraque told The Canadian Press hes considering a defamation suit against his rival in the affair and, as for his own case, hes eager to get started. "I want it to begin, because this things been dragging on for two years. I have nothing to hide." Before his career as an activist and politician, the 36-year-old Laraque played for four NHL teams between 1997 and 2010 and was best-known for his fighting skills. Wholesale Jerseys China .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. http://wholesalejerseyschinaauthentic.com/ . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. Wholesale Jerseys . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers.The Miami Heat will hang a third NBA championship banner, and second in a row, when they kick off their title defense tonight against the Chicago Bulls. Commissioner David Stern will be on hand to dole out some fancy jewelry. The Heat players will receive the championship rings pre-game as Miami will begin its quest for a third consecutive title. Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 starting at 8pm et. "Its an exciting time for us, for our fans, for our franchise," two-time reigning MVP LeBron James said after practice on Monday. "But, we cant prepare for it." And what about the fact that the Heat get their rings and banner ceremony, on opening night, at AmericanAirlines Arena, and against the Bulls, a team several pundits picked to usurp the Heat in the Eastern Conference? "It didnt matter who it was," said James, ever the diplomat. "But, we like the fact that it is the Bulls. It makes us stay on our toes. Its exciting. Its great for the league." Its definitely great for the NBA, pitting arguably the two best teams against each other on opening night. Its also great that James will battle Derrick Rose, the former MVP, who missed all of last season when he tore his ACL in the playoffs in 20
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