Defence lawyers continued efforts to discredit the man who accused Ottawa's mayor of influence peddling Thursday, noting none of the e-mail exchanges between the two ever discussed money or the possibility of a federal appointment.

Lawyer Michael Edelson challenged the basis of Terry Kilrea's allegations that charge O'Brien offered him a position on the National Parole Board in exchange for dropping out of the 2006 mayor's race.

"There is no e-mail you're aware of where you communicate with Mr. O'Brien in which the subject of a parole board appointment is ever mentioned?" Edelson asked during Thursday's proceedings.

"No," replied Kilrea.

Rather, the e-mails discussed Kilrea's employment difficulties with Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General, where Kilrea worked as a sheriff's officer.

Kilrea had previously testified he was being pressured by his employer to drop out of the 2006 municipal race due to a potential conflict of interest. He said he feared he was going to be fired.

E-mails to O'Brien don't mention appointment

It was during this period that Kilrea alleges O'Brien told him he could arrange a five-year appointment to the National Parole Board.

"All of the e-mails between you and O'Brien were largely the MAG (ministry employment) issue," said Edelson.

"But what is the subject of this case -- namely the appointment issue -- there isn't a single e-mail on that subject copied to Mr. O'Brien by you."

Kilrea testified the only e-mails that mentioned a federal appointment were between him and John Baird.

"Did I copy O'Brien on e-mails to Baird? -- No," Kilrea told the court.

Subject of meeting with Baird disputed

Although Kilrea testified O'Brien told him to contact Baird about the federal appointment, Baird said he knew nothing about it.

On July 19, 2006, Kilrea said he met with Baird in person to discuss the status of his current job.

"Was a single word uttered about the National Parole Board position?" asked Edelson.

Kilrea replied: "No. I am positive."

Edelson then told the court about a statement Baird gave to police that contradicted Kilrea's testimony.

"John Baird has given a statement to police and said the subject of National Parole Board was discussed on the 19th. That you were not qualified for the position. Do you recall this?" said Edelson.

"No, because that was never said or came up," said Kilrea.

"If you were wrong about the July 19 meeting, we have to question whether you were right about anything," replied Edelson.

Wife leaked copy of affidavit, says Kilrea 

During cross-examination Thursday morning, Edelson also demanded answers about how confidential documents relating to the case became public.

Kilrea said his common-law wife Dina Koukis leaked a copy of the sworn affidavit outlining the allegations against the mayor to the president of the Ottawa District Labour Council.

"Did your wife speak to you about handing the affidavit over to McKenny?" asked Edelson.

"She said she was going to phone him. I said you do what you have to do; I'll stay out of it," Kilrea replied.

Although Kilrea said he had nothing to do with the arrangement, Edelson outlined a police statement from McKenny that stated Kilrea put him in touch with his wife in order to give him the affidavit.

After McKenny got a hold of the affidavit, he filed a complaint that sparked a nine-month police investigation into the case.

In 2007, O'Brien was charged with two Criminal Code counts for influence peddling. He pleaded not guilty to the charges last week.

The trial is set to continue on Tuesday.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem and Vanessa Lee and files from The Canadian Press