By CHAT News Today

Special prosecutor taking over fraud case involving local pharmacists

May 23, 2017 | 5:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Specialized Prosecutions Branch is taking over the case against three local pharmacists charged with fraud.

According to Katherine Thompson, public affairs officer with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Shelley Smith will represent the Crown in the case against former Co-op pharmacists Evan King, Kathy Kieser and Robert Stadnyk.

The three were all charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 after a year-long investigation into alleged fraudulent activity by the Alberta College of Pharmacists. The three are alleged to have negotiated drug purchases and vendor rebates or incentive payments, based on drugs supplied to the pharmacy from four generic drug manufacturers.

According to the hearing by the College of Pharmacists, while the drug purchases and rebates or incentive payments were negotiated by the individuals, the drugs were purchased on behalf of Medicine Hat Co-op and paid for by the company.

Documents show that much of the vendor rebates or incentive payments were provided to Kieser, King and Stadnyk for their own personal use in the form of gift cards, prepaid credit cards, travel vouchers, paid trips and entertainment expenses and tickets.

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The three are no longer employed by Co-op.

King, Kieser and Stadnyk appeared in court today, but were adjourned to June 1.

The Specialized Prosecutions Branch provides prosecution services throughout Alberta in sensitive and complex areas such as commercial crime, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety cases, mutual international legal assistance, organized crime, technology, and Internet crime, says Thompson.