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Taber fraud case heading to trial

Aug 31, 2017 | 2:42 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A preliminary inquiry that was scheduled to begin next month for a Taber man facing fraud charges has been waived, and the case will proceed directly to trial.

Scott Blanchard is accused of taking nearly $500,000 from the Oilmen’s Club in Taber, while he was the manager. Taber Police say they received a complaint on Oct. 23, 2014, of a possible fraud, resulting in charges of theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 against Blanchard.

Following a court appearance last August, Blanchard’s lawyer Doug Carle, spoke to the media and pointed the finger at someone else.

“Any funds that [Blanchard] took from the Oilmen’s, here in Taber, was not only with the knowledge of the owner, but was with the absolute consent and direction of the owner,” stated Carle. “Mr. Blanchard has indicated and will prove at trial, that that’s the manner in which he got paid, that’s the way the owner wanted it set up.”

Carle went on to say that Blanchard told him that he was audited by Revenue Canada for how he was paid, and that the amount was far below what police say was taken from the club.

“Any money that was taken over and above the amount that he’s already justifiably took for his pay and salary, was in fact taken either by the owner or someone on the owner’s behalf, in the same manner that Mr. Blanchard took the money, quote-unquote, off the books,” explained Carle.

The judge and jury trial will run Nov. 19-30, 2018.