By Patrick Burles - @Patrick Burles on Twitter

Taber man charged in major fraud case elects trial by judge and jury

Oct 11, 2016 | 2:18 PM

TABER – A 45-year old Taber man charged in a major fraud case has elected trial by judge and jury in Court of Queen’s Bench.

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 October 23, 2014, of a possible fraud, resulting in charges of theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 against Blanchard.

The case has been adjourned to November 29, giving the Crown and defence time to work out dates and a schedule for a preliminary hearing, which would ensure there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Following an earlier court appearance in 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.”

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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 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.