Ex-board member charged with defrauding Waskesiu Wilderness

Waskesiu Wilderness Region says a former board member, who is also a former manager for the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce, misdirected more than $100,000 from its coffers.

In a prepared statement issued Wednesday, the destination marketing group said “anomalies” were found in 2015 when its 201415 financial reports were being finalized.

“Upon doing a somewhat more in-depth internal review, it became apparent that unauthorized funds transfers had occurred, sparking the need for an extensive forensic audit,” the statement said.

“The volunteers and staff of WWR undertook this gargantuan task, taking months and hundreds of man-hours to complete the work.”

The audit uncovered transactions involving a now-former board member, his personal credit card expenses, “unauthorized payments” and fund transfers between the WWR and other volunteer non-profit organizations where the man worked, it added.

The WWR turned over its findings to the RCMP, which conducted a joint investigation with the Prince Albert Police Service, since some of the other organizations are located in Prince Albert.

Charges were subsequently laid against 66-year-old George Wilson, who was also a manager of the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce.

RCMP have said they conducted an investigation into financial irregularities at an unnamed organization between 2008 and 2015 and charged Wilson with one count of fraud greater than $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

Earlier this month, the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce said Wilson’s seasonal employment wasn’t renewed at the end of the 2015 season.

The WWR’s statement said it continues to work with police and other affected organizations.

“WWR is a member-driven funding model, so trust is of the utmost importance. Increased security controls have been implemented. Destination marketing fees collected from members are secure,” it added.

Wilson was released from custody on an undertaking after his arrest on Jan. 4 and is expected to appear in court again in Montreal Lake on Feb. 15.