The Cochrane RCMP has charged one man for allegedly defrauding the Cochrane Firefighters foundation.
According to the RCMP, in February of 2024, the Cochrane RCMP received a complaint from the Cochrane Firefighter’s foundation in relation to missing monetary funds from their charitable foundation.
The Cochrane Firefighters Foundation executive released the following statement late Friday:
"This is a place we never wanted to be, or thought we would be. The Cochrane Firefighter’s Foundation was an independent not-for-profit group, whose collective goal was to support local community charities. Money was collected directly from the firefighters. Upon a new treasurer assuming the position anomalies in our financial statements were noticed, which were reported to the RCMP. The RCMP investigated this and have pressed charges against the former treasurer of the Cochrane Firefighter’s Foundation. Efforts are ongoing to recover the misappropriated funds the firefighters donated and ensure they are delivered to the community charities as intended. We are committed to continuing to serve the community with integrity. All inquiries regarding this legal matter should be directed to the Cochrane RCMP."
The lengthy investigation revealed that a former firefighter had been personally gaining from this foundation.
- Fraud Over $5000
Avery was released on his own undertaking with a court date of March 11, 2025 in the Alberta Court of Justice in Cochrane.
