Procedure and House Affairs committee  No.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I retained the services of a lawyer to ensure that I understood my responsibilities of appearing in front of the committee, and I spoke to my family and friends about my opening statement.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I alone wrote my letter of apology, along with, again, some suggestions from my family. However, I do not have the resources to have my letter translated, so I forwarded it to Mr. Rajotte in English only.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. I did not expect to benefit at all from my actions. As I referred in my opening statement, I believe that the moment I sent that document was a critical lapse in my judgment. I was simply at that time sending a document to a few friends out of a concept of self-importance, so to speak--“Look at me; I'm important.”

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, I acted alone. My thought process did not involve Mrs. Block whatsoever. It was entirely me.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I paid for my own lawyer's services, yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's Paul Lepsoe.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The comments in my e-mail to Mrs. Hamilton were simply banter among friends. As I mentioned, there was no underlying meaning. I know the importance of the document I was sending, but there was no meaning other than simple banter.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I understand after the fact the gravity of the error I made; however, my lapse of judgment at the time does not make up for the fact that I now understand how serious my actions were.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The evidence I shall give on this examination shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. On Thursday, November 18, I received by e-mail, along with all members and their staff of the finance committee, a first draft of a report of the finance committee prepared by committee staff. When I received the report that morning, I did not read it, but I did do two things.