By CHAT News Today

Trial date rescheduled for two pharmacists charged with fraud

Dec 6, 2017 | 12:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Trial dates for two of three pharmacists charged with allegedly defrauding a local business have been pushed back.

Evan King and Kathy Kieser both appeared in Medicine Hat provincial court, where their trial has been pushed to April 23-27, 2018.

The pair were originally scheduled to go to trial from January 22-28. The two, along with co-accused Robert Stadnyk, were all charged with fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000 in connection with a year-long investigation by Medicine Hat Police and the Alberta College of Pharmacists into alleged fraudulent activity at Medicine Hat Co-op (now South Country Co-op).

The trial was delayed, according to the Crown, to accommodate a witness who will be out of the country when the trial begins. The Crown did apply for video conferencing, which was opposed by defence for King and Kieser, who were concerned due to the nature of the witness’ evidence, it would be better to have the witness in court. The judge agreed to rescheduled the trial for King and Kieser to ensure it doesn’t end up further delayed.

According to the Alberta College of Pharmacists, King, Kieser and Stadnyk allegedly negotiated drug purchases, rebates and incentives on behalf of the Co-op.  However, the College of Pharmacists said the incentives, in the form of gift and prepaid credit cards and travel vouchers, were provided to the pharmacists for their personal use.

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Medicine Hat police estimated the value of the fraud at $1.6 million. The fraud is alleged to have occurred between 2010 and 2014, and the three pharmacists are no longer employed by Co-op.

Stadnyk’s trial is still set for March 26-29 in Medicine Hat.