Former Whitecap Dakota First Nation accountant Hugo Gallegos on hook for $5.8 million
Former Whitecap Dakota First Nation accountant Hugo Gallegos is expected to admit he stole $5.8 million from the First Nation next month.
"There has been a tacit understanding that Hugo Gallegos will plead guilty," said Justice Don Layh in court today.
Gallegos was expected to enter the plea today, but defense lawyer Chris Lavier has asked for an adjournment until August because the case was "disclosure heavy" and that he needed more time to review it.
RCMP investigators said the alleged offences happened between January 2009 and July of 2013.
When the First Nation first became aware of the missing money, RCMP had initially been unable to track Gallegos down and had issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest. He came back to Saskatoon from El Salvador to answer to the charges.
Gallegos faces charges of theft, fraud, possession of the proceeds of crime and money laundering.
Crown prosecutor Robin Ritter was against the adjournment, saying he can stack up 1,700-plus cheques amounting to $5.8 million to the penny.
Last month, Gallegos abruptly fired his lawyer.
He returns to court Aug. 7.
CBC's Dan Zakreski was tweeting from the courtroom.
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