PBCN Members Call For RCMP Probe Into TLE Affair

Wednesday, June 08, 2005 at 14:04

 

 

A group of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation members are not satisfied with how band officials are dealing with questions about missing Treaty Land Entitlement money.

 

Chief Ron Michel says an audit is underway to review $1.8 million in questionable withdrawals from a TLE trust account.

 

He expects the results in August, and says asking the RCMP to investigate won’t be considered until after the audit report is in.

 

But band member George Morin says the paper trail has likely gone cold by now and doubts the audit will be effective. He also says a police investigation should begin immediately if there is the chance a crime has been committed.

 

Morin says anyone who is suspected of wrongdoing should be suspended immediately.

 

Morin also believes the chief, council and trustees have to involve the band membership at all stages of the investigation and not make decisions behind closed doors.

 

The money in question was part of $3.7 million in withdrawals made from December to March, which essentially emptied the TLE trust account.