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 MLB Jerseys .   The Dutchman, who already won the 5,000 meters during the opening weekend of the Olympics, said Monday that the middle-distance would likely be too much of a distraction during his preparation for the longer race on Feb. Cheap MLB Jerseys . Louis Cardinals open the season on top of the TSN. http://www.salejerseyswholesale.com/Mlb-jerseys.html. "It feels like I havent left," said Tim Raines, the former long-time Expo, current Blue Jays roving instructor and should-be Hall-of-Famer, just moments after stepping onto the turf at Olympic Stadium.ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen is taking a different approach to the bye week this year. Almost half the team was excused from the first practice of this seasons bye week as Allen gave almost all of the teams veterans and injured players time away from the field. After the team held morning meetings, the veterans got some rest and treatment while the younger players held a short practice to tune up the passing game and clean up some mistakes. Thats a contrast to last years approach, when Oakland held mostly full practices during its week off in Allens first year as coach. "I just felt like with where were at as a football team, especially with the health of the football team, that I thought it was important for the veteran players to get some time to really take care of their bodies and get themselves back healthy and ready to go for next week," Allen said Tuesday. The Raiders (2-4) are riddled with injuries and were forced to cobble together a makeshift offensive line in Sundays 24-7 loss at Kansas City. Guard Mike Brisiel was forced to play at centre after backup Andre Gurode left the game with an injury with starter Stefen Wisniewski already hurt. That gave rookie Lamar Mady his first offensive action as a pro at right guard. Matt McCants, who played only a handful of snaps before starting against San Diego on Oct. 6, was forced back into action at right tackle after Tony Pashos got hurt. The Raiders have already had to move Khalif Barnes from right tackle to left tackle because of injuries to Jared Veldheer and Menelik Watson, and Lucas Nix made just his fourth career start at left guard. Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings allso are nursing hamstring injuries, putting the bye week at a most opportune time.dddddddddddd "Its very important," receiver Rod Streater said. "I think its going to help get some linemen back. Just any nicks and bruises we have the week off will help us out." That led Allen to make the decision to keep his veterans out of practice as only 36 of the 61 players on the active roster and practice squad took part in the abbreviated workout. That included all the quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends, leading to a heavy emphasis on the passing game. Most of the time was spent in 7-on-7 passing drills with linemen doing individual work on the side. "Weve got a lot of guys that are banged-up, a lot of the veteran guys," Allen said. "We need those guys to get their bodies back, get their minds back. Well give them a little bit of time, but were still bringing them in, still meeting with them and spending a lot of time in the training room." The other focus this week is mental as a young Raiders team tries to learn how to win games. Oakland has been in position to win five of the six games this season with the only blowout coming in Week 3 in Denver. The Raiders faltered late in losses to Washington and Kansas City as they made too many key mistakes at the most inopportune times. "Weve given ourselves opportunities to win games. Weve got to continue to put ourselves in those types of positions," Allen said. "The more we do that, the more experience we get with that, the better were going to react to those situations and well begin to win some of these games and come out on the plus side instead of having to come back and make some adjustments after tough losses." ' ' '