Michael Elphicke, accused in a major fraud case, allegedly benefited from $17,000 that parents of hockey players believed to be earmarked for a failed youth hockey trip to Europe six years ago.

Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 co-accused Loren Reagan was expected to be undergoing trial over the past couple of weeks, but is reportedly out of the country 香蕉视频直播� believed by Elphicke to be in Kuwait. Instead, just Elphicke has been standing trial in Penticton香蕉视频直播檚 Supreme Court of B.C. chambers over charges of fraud and theft over $5,000 and unauthorized management of a lottery scheme.

Forensic accountant Darcy Wong with Public Services and Procurement Canada took the stand to provide details of his investigation into the ordeal.

Among his findings, Wong told the court he found no evidence of money going toward the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, despite claims money had gone to that as part of a fundraiser for the Okanagan Elite Hockey Association hockey trip.

Wong said a total of around $184,000 was raised between parents香蕉视频直播� contributions, fundraising, Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 and Reagan香蕉视频直播檚 own contributions, advertising and other contributions to three bank accounts set up for the OEHA.

Parents and fundraising made up just under $128,000 (70 per cent) of that total money raised, according to Wong香蕉视频直播檚 finding.

Of the total amount raised, however, just $12,000 remained in the account by early January, when the operation collapsed.

香蕉视频直播淭he three largest use-of-funds categories were funds paid for the dorm purchases, valued to $44,000; and funds paid to Mr. Reagan, or Mr. Reagan香蕉视频直播檚 benefit, about $38,000; and funds paid to Mr. Elphicke or his wife, and for their benefit, amounting to almost $17,000,香蕉视频直播� Wong told the court.

Among the funds paid toward Reagan香蕉视频直播檚 benefit, Wong made note of payments directly to himself, but also payments made to things like lawyers associated with Reagan, rental payments and Mastercard accounts in his name.

Wong said there were similar funds going to Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 benefit, particularly making note of an unspecified sum going to his son香蕉视频直播檚 hockey team.

Most or all of the parents who have testified to this point have said they had no indication funds were intended to go either to Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 benefit or to Reagan香蕉视频直播檚 benefit.

For one man with experience dealing with Reagan, the incident came with little surprise. Ian Frame, who lived in Alberta, began renting an apartment from Reagan prior to the OEHA fiasco began so he could visit Penticton, where his son was attending the Okanagan Hockey Academy.

The apartment he was renting from Reagan was to run Frame about $5,000 for the full year.

香蕉视频直播淚 payed him the whole deal,香蕉视频直播� Frame said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a mistake on my part, but I specifically recall doing it in good faith at the time. I was trying to be nice to Loren. My impression with Loren was he was busy in a lot of areas.香蕉视频直播�

That, Frame said, turned out to be 香蕉视频直播渕ore lies, more lies, more lies,香蕉视频直播� as Frame soon found himself getting kicked out of the apartment.

Just a few months after moving in, in December 2010, the owner of the apartment let Frame know he didn香蕉视频直播檛 have a place to stay. At first, Reagan had reportedly told Frame he owned the place, later saying Frame should buy the place, then that Reagan had an option to buy the place in February.

香蕉视频直播淚 called the owner 香蕉视频直播� and he told me there was no arrangement of any such nature,香蕉视频直播� Frame said. 香蕉视频直播淚t came as quite a surprise to me.香蕉视频直播�

Reagan allegedly told Frame over months by text message that the money would be paid back, but that never materialized, Frame said.

Though Frame had been involved in previous trips of a similar nature, he said he was not involved in Reagan and Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 trip to Europe.

Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 trial is expected to continue into next week, including testimony from Elphicke himself slated for Monday.

Note: This article incorrectly stated that Ian Frame had been involved in Loren Reagan and Michael Elphicke香蕉视频直播檚 failed hockey trip to Europe. In fact, Frame had been involved in different hockey trips in the past.

dustin.godfrey@pentictonwesternnews.com
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