High-profile fraud case adjourned

A former bar manager in Taber accused of fraud and theft has had his case adjourned to Sept. 27.

45-year-old Scott Allen Blanchard did not appear personally in Taber provincial court on Aug. 30, but was represented by his attorney, Doug Carle, who requested the adjournment in order to receive and review his client’s disclosure. The prosecution’s case is being handled by Special Prosecutions in Calgary.

Blanchard, the former manager of the Oilmen’s Club, has been charged with one count of theft over $5,000 and one count of fraud over $5,000 in connection with a complaint received by the Taber Police Service on Oct. 23, 2014 from bar owner Darcy Hertz, who alleged financial irregularities with respect to the establishment’s operations while Blanchard was manager.

After a lengthy investigation, police determined close to $500,000 in funds were allegedly misappropriated.

“This complaint involved numerous hours of investigation, many judicial orders, and consultation with Special Prosecutions in Calgary. The alleged victim in this matter has been patient as the Taber Police Service worked through the complexities of the case and I am pleased with the results of the work of our officers,” said Graham Abela, chief of police for the Taber Police Service, in an initial press release.