By james art 
Former Chief Administrative Officer of Gilbert Plains Municipality has been officially charged with allegations of fraud after a two -year investigation.
On Jan. 16, AS Part of A Joint Involving The Dauphin RCMP Detachment and Manitoba RCMP Cyber and Financial Crime Unit (CFCU), Amber Fisher, 40, WAS ARRESTED WITH Knowing he was obtained from committing a crime.
The investigation began after a complaint in 2022 that Fisher had deceived a municipality of over $ 500,000 while hired there.
Reeve Jim Manchur said the municipality has been expecting this day for some time.
“We initiated this process more than two years ago, so we hoped it would happen earlier than it did, but we are glad that we are at that moment at that moment,” Mandzur said.
The investigation included numerous statements by witnesses, along with the receipt and review of extensive financial records and other reports.
“Every time you investigate this duration, which reaches the loading stage, this is a major stage. However, the work is not complete, “Const said. Ricky Perkins by Manitoba RCMP CFCU.
“We are aware of the affected people, a long -term investigation may feel as if there is no progress. In fact, many investigative steps are happening behind the scenes and we will continue to work with the Dauphin RCMP squad until it is a conclusion. “
However, the municipality was not idle until they were waiting for the investigation to process.
One step they made, said Manchur, is to judge Fisher in an attempt to recover his losses.
“We are still in the process. This is another, some kind of disappointing thing, it takes time, so we hope this will go ahead with the passage of time, “he said.
He added that the municipality also works closely with its insurance company in an attempt to minimize its losses.
“I would say that out of $ 500,000 plus we lost, $ 400,000 returned from insurance, but we still have other funds to recover in terms of legal fees and interest and such things,” Manchur said.
“In the end, we would like to restore all our resources and get back to business as normal.”
But it won’t be a business as it used to be.
“We have really tightened everything from our financial side. We have updated all our administration staff and all our financial controls are really, really tight now. So I really don’t think this can be repeated, for sure in our municipality, “Mandzur said.
These changes include eliminating the ability to be rejected by the municipal accounts without double permission and a council approval requirement under all financial statements. There is also increased control that is carried out to ensure that the banking statements are attracted regularly, as well as the requirements for regular and current audits.
“You would not believe the stress and dissatisfaction that this has caused for us in the council for the last few years and, you know, it is difficult to believe that we will be a victim of it, but that is what we ended with. I think many payers are not completely pleased with how it happened, but in the end we must continue to be vigilant and go from there, “Mandzur said.
“We appreciate the efforts of RCMP. We were in contact with them throughout the process and they did a great job. “
Fisher has been released from custody with conditions and will appear in the provincial court in Dauphin on March 18th.