The Taber Police Service has charged a person in connection to alleged fraud. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta woman charged with misappropriating union funds

Nov 20, 2025 | 2:24 PM

The Taber Police Service (TPS) has laid charges in relation to alleged fraud.

In July 2024, police say the executive of Local 2038 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Alberta) reported that it had discovered unusual financial activity involving the treasurer of the local union group.

TPS says it conducted a lengthy investigation into the matter.

They determined that the former treasurer had allegedly misappropriated nearly $10,000 worth of CUPE funds for her own personal use over a period of a little more than one year.

Gaylene Enora Whitley, 54, of Barnwell, is charged with fraud over $5,000, forgery, and uttering a forged document.

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She is scheduled to appear in court in Taber on November 25, 2025.

Lou Arab, spokesperson for CUPE, told LNN that Whitley was stripped of her duties “almost immediately” after discovering the alleged fraud.

He adds that the union has reviewed its financial practices in hopes of preventing further incidents.