By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — After nearly two years of investigation, police have laid more than 30 fraud-related charges against a former administrator for the Town of Craik.

Craik RCMP announced Thursday morning that officers had laid charges in regards to internal fraud related to the town’s financial operations.

The accused was not named by police, but Const. Kevin Morrissette remarked, “I think pretty much anyone local can figure out who it is.”

The administrator was employed by the town between 2010 and 2014.

During the summer of 2014, the town informed police that fraudulent activity was suspected, setting the investigation in motion.

According to police, forensic audits were requested and the RCMP underwent an extensive investigation to obtain and review supporting financial documents from the town.

Current administrator Sarah Wells said the investigation was already underway by the time she began working for the town in November 2014.

She said the town office has co-operated with the investigation, providing all requested materials.

“A lot of it comes out of our computer program,” she explained. “It had to come from us.”

Wells said she could not clarify the amount of funds that were unaccounted for when the investigation began.

The Leader reported in May 2014 that a concerned resident had visited Craik town council after her grandson and his friends reportedly discovered cheques made out to the town floating in a ditch.

Craik RCMP stated at the time that the matter was not yet under investigation, but Mayor Rick Rogers acknowledged a connection between the matter of the cheques and the action being taken against the administrator, who had been placed on leave.

The accused is scheduled to appear in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on June 1. Anyone with relevant information on the case is asked to contact the RCMP or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.