Napoleon Mercedi, left, seen leaving Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench with his lawyer Garth Bendig. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Fraud case

Band funds used to pay for SUV and personal trips, according to testimony at Mercredi fraud trial

Oct 7, 2019 | 3:39 PM

A former northern Saskatchewan chief is accused of using his band’s economic development money to purchase a vehicle over $25,000 in 2011.

This was some of the evidence introduced on day one of the Napoleon Mercredi trial at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday. Over $400,000 was allegedly misappropriated during Mercredi’s time as chief from September, 2009 to October, 2011.

RCMP Cpl. Hugh Gordon, the officer in charge of the investigation, was the first Crown witness to testify. He claimed Mercredi personally collected over $60,000 of the band’s economic development money.

As per the arrangement between the federal government and Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), Ottawa transfers a sum of money to PAGC, which then redirects funds to 12 member communities.

When asked by Crown prosecutor Darren Howarth if he could find any evidence the money was being used according to eligibility requirements, Gordon replied “no.”

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When further questioned about the Ford Expedition purchased from a Prince Albert dealership in 2011, Gordon said the bill of sale was made out to Mercredi, and as of 2015, the vehicle was still in his name.

In total, Mercredi received over $776,000 in payments from the PAGC and the Fond Du Lac band during his time as chief. Not all of that amount is alleged to have been misappropriated. Mecredi’s annual salary as chief was $65,000. There were also travel expenses accounted for, including a five-day trip to attend the Canadian Country Music Awards in Hamilton, Ontario.

Mercredi sat calmy in court, listening intently to all the evidence presented and only looked down, when jotting notes on a yellow pad of paper.

Two weeks have been scheduled for the trial. On Tuesday, a forensic accountant is scheduled to testify, as well as the band’s former administrator Darryl McDonald.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell