A 58-year-old man from Lethbridge has been charged with embezzling $3.5 million over five years.
Police began investigating four separate businesses in the fall of 2022 after reports of duplicitous activity. LPS’ Economic Crimes Unit identified numerous fraudulent transactions, including forged documents, fraudulently obtained loans, unauthorized transfers and deposits into personal accounts between December 2014 and August 2019.
During which time, the suspect served as an accountant, partner, or held positions where he had access to financial accounts and records. Evidence of money laundering was additionally uncovered.
Douglas Dale Wilde was arrested on October 13th and is charged with is charged with four counts each of fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and one count of money laundering.
He was released on an undertaking with conditions and scheduled to appear in court November 10.