Rolf Traichel charged with fraud
Former Police Commission member and current IT employee at Catholic school division accused of defrauding more than $1M
A former member of the Medicine Hat Police Commission was arrested Tuesday after a six-month fraud investigation alleging he stole more than $1 million from the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education.
Rolf Traichel, 45, was charged with three offences — one charge each of fraud over $5,000, possessing proceeds of crime and money laundering.
In a statement to the media, the school board confirmed Traichel’s employment, but wouldn’t comment further.
“As this is a legal matter before the courts, no further details will be disclosed at this time,” the statement said.
Police say Traichel worked for the board’s IT department.
Insp. Tim McGough says that although the offences allegedly occurred between 2010 and 2016, and Traichel sat on the police commission from 2012 to 2017, he is not suspected of any wrongdoing against MHPS.
“Based on the investigation to date, it is believed that the alleged fraud was isolated to one organization,” a release from the police read.
The investigation into Treichel began in January, and the Catholic board has cooperated with police investigators.
Like the school board, McGough was unable to provide much information beyond what was written in a release, such as how much of the funds have been recovered by police.
“That’s before the courts, so I can’t get into that,” he said. “That will come out in the court proceedings.”
Traichel was released on his own recognizance with conditions.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 11 at Medicine Hat Provincial Court.