Lethbridge man charged with $800,000 fraud against local business

By Delon Shurtz
Southern Alberta Newspapers – Lethbridge

A Lethbridge man is accused of defrauding a Taber agriculture business of nearly $1 million.

Taber police said the business was the victim of a scam between March and July 2013 in which hay was obtained but no money paid. The business was defrauded of more than $800,000.

Scott James Piggott, 33, is charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and false pretenses over $5,000. He was released on bail, with conditions, and ordered to appear in Taber provincial court June 23.

Taber police said they reviewed a “massive” amount of data and obtained information from several companies in Canada and the United States during the investigation.

“The culmination of an arrest and charges in this matter is a great example of working through a large amount of information, liaising with special prosecutions, and helping our local business community,” Insp. Graham Abela said in a news release.