A case of TLE fraud on the Poundmaker First Nation will be back in court in September.
Lawyers entered charges yesterday on behalf of eight of nine people charged in the case — including Chief Duane Antoine and his brother, Teddy.
They were initially charged with theft over $5,000, but they pleaded guilty to theft under $5,000.
Several other charges against the accused, who include band councillors and former TLE trustees, are expected to be dropped or stayed prior to sentencing in September.
Former TLE trustee Wes Favel is not happy with the pleas.
He says information packages sent to RCMP indicate the amount of money missing is vast.
Favel says the customary law governing elected officials of the band is clear that disciplinary action should include immediate resignation or removal from office for breach of trust.
He says it is unacceptable in any civil society to allow officials charged with fraud and theft of public funds to continue holding official status as leaders.
Meanwhile, another former Poundmaker TLE trustee charged with fraud and theft is facing three new charges.
Victoria McMillan entered a “not guilty” plea in court yesterday.
Her case was set over to mid-May.
The new charges are theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, and breach of her duties as a trustee.
Those charges are in addition to the two other charges laid last summer — fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.
In a separate case, three other Poundmaker band members have pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000.
Colin Favel, Bryan Tootoosis, and Irene Tootoosis entered that plea yesterday.
Charges against two others are expected to be stayed or withdrawn at sentencing, which is scheduled for next September.
The Crown says the charges arise from the band’s dealings with a now defunct company.
It is alleged that the accused each took $10,000 from money the company paid to the band.