Waskesiu Wilderness Region defrauded of more than $100,000

By Taylor MacPherson, paNow

New details have emerged in a major, multi-year fraud case allegedly involving an employee of a non-profit organization in Waskesiu.

Saskatchewan RCMP laid charges against 66-year-old George Wilson earlier in January in connection with “financial irregularities that occurred from 2008 to 2015, while Wilson was employed in a position of financial authority with a Waskesiu-based organization.”

According to a statement from the Waskesiu Wilderness Region (WWR) Board Chair Tim Longworth, the non-profit destination marketing organization was the target of Wilson’s alleged fraud.

Longworth said the organization became aware of anomalies in their records while finalizing their 2014/15 financial reports, which led to a more in-depth review.

“Uncovered in the forensic audit were transactions involving a former board member George Wilson, his personal credit card expenditures, unauthorized payments and other fund transfers between WWR and several other non-profit, volunteer organizations with which Mr. Wilson was involved,” Longworth said.

“Over $100,000 was proven to have been misdirected from WWR during the period that was reviewed.”

Wilson was arrested Jan. 4, and charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Longworth said all of the evidence was turned over to the RCMP, and the WWR continues to work closely with the police. Since the alleged fraud was discovered, Longworth said the organization has implemented increased security controls.

Wilson is set to answer the charges, which have yet to be proven, in a court appearance Feb. 15 in Montreal Lake