A special Senate subcommittee alleges Liberal Senator Raymond Lavigne improperly used his office resources, even asking his staff to cut down trees on his property, CTV News has learned.

"I found his executive assistant Mr. Daniel Cote cutting down about six large trees and another 15 small trees," claimed Neil Faulkner, who lives beside Lavigne's Wakefield, Que. estate.

The two properties are nestled next to the Gatineau River.

Faulkner said relations with his neighbouring senator were peaceful, until he came home one day to the harsh sounds of chainsaws.

According to Faulkner, some of the trees cut down were allegedly on his property. He sued Lavigne, and then took the further step of filing a complaint with the Senate.

"I felt it was a fair question to ask the Senate: was this man on the Senate payroll?" said Faulkner.

Last year, the Senate Committee on Internal Economy responded by creating a special subcommittee to investigate how Lavigne managed his office resources.

So far, the subcommittee's findings remain secret and the investigation is ongoing.

"It would be grossly improper to make any comment at all about the work of the committee while the committee is continuing its work -- I'm sure you can understand that," said Liberal Senator Joan Fraser.

However, along with allegations of using his staff to cut down trees, CTV News has also learned that Lavigne may have improperly claimed about $23,500 in travel expenses.

The Senate Board of Internal Economy said Wednesday it will give Lavigne one week to repay the money and report to police.

Despite the decision, New Democratic MP Pat Martin said the Senate has not acted quickly enough in its year-long investigation of Lavigne.

"Oh man, this has all the earmarks of a cover-up," said Martin.

"Everyone thinks the Senate works at a glacial pace but this is absurd."

Lavigne is a former Quebec Liberal MP, first elected to the House of Commons in 1993.

Former prime minister Jean Chretien appointed Lavigne to the Senate in 2002.

Currently, senators remain in office until age 75, although until 1965, their appointments were for life.

Harper announced plans Tuesday to impose eight-year term limits on new senators, as part of new democratic reforms.

With a report by CTV's David Atkin in Ottawa