Hugo Gallegos stood to his feet in a packed Saskatoon courtroom today, pleading guilty to six fraud and theft-related charges.
Between 2009 and 2013, Gallegos stole $5.8 million from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation while employed as an accountant for the band.
“I was expecting it could be a ‘not guilty’ plea today,” says Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear. “We now look forward to September 2. Then I can respond a little more after that.”
Sentencing will begin on September 2 with victim impact statements and sentencing submissions.
Earlier this week, it was learned the band filed a lawsuit against the Royal Bank of Canada and KPMG alleging they should have prevented the theft.
Bear declined comment on the matter.