A Swift Current lawyer found himself in the middle of a controversy involving the Saskatchewan New Democrats.

     Robert Hale led an investigation into Dwain Lingenfelter's leadership campaign, after one of his volunteers sold 1100 memberships without interviewing those members.

     He says he was asked to conduct the investigation because of his legal background, his knowledge of the party, and as someone who had not been involved in any of the party leadership campaigns.  He adds, the fact that he was located outside of Regina and Saskatoon also may have had something to do with the decision.

     Hale's report confirms that the volunteer sold the now-cancelled memberships on his own, and Lingenfelter himself had no knowledge of it.

     Hale is also an NDP member and ran for the party in the Swift Current riding for the 2007 Provincial election.  He says, after conducting the investigation, his feelings about the party won't change, but it's too early to tell what his status within the NDP will be.