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Seaforth ex-chiefs probed in alleged scam
Former COs took regimental funds - search warrant
Jason Proctor
The Province
Canadian military police are investigating whether two previous commanding officers of the Seaforth Highlanders misappropriated more than $45,000 worth of funds from a foundation set up to benefit the reserve regiment.
A search warrant obtained by The Province alleges that money from the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Fund was placed directly into the personal accounts of Donald Chipman and his successor, Peter Thomas.
The secretary/treasurer of the organization -- Michael Shields -- is also named in the court document.
"A preliminary financial audit of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada‘s Regimental Fund revealed that between March 1997 and December 2000, multiple breaches of Canadian Forces administrative and financial regulations had taken place," reads the information filed to obtain the warrant.
"The findings also indicated that a significant amount of money could not be accounted for and may have been stolen or misappropriated."
No charges have been laid against any of the men named in the warrant.
But spokesman Capt. Mark Giles confirmed Friday that the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is conducting an investigation in the Vancouver area.
Chipman served as commanding officer of the Seaforth Highlanders between May 26, 1996, and Sept. 18, 1999. Thomas succeeded him, serving until May 11, 2002.
"There was no misappropriation of funds," Chipman told The Province.
"I‘ll wait until they ask me -- and answer their questions."
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Fund is a charitable organization managed by the Vancouver Foundation, which in turn pays dividends back to the the regiment.
According to the warrant, the investigation follows a paper trail that found that cheques equal to the amounts being written to the regiment were then signed over to "the Commanding Officers Fund."
The warrant claims that $25,000 of that money went into Chipman‘s personal VanCity account and $20,000 went into Thomas‘ account at Canada Trust.
Bank records for Chipman indicate that he then paid hydro and insurance bills and made a loan repayment.
He also allegedly received $817.06 from the fund for repairs to the mirror assemblies of his 1992 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle.
Investigators were hoping to review Thomas‘ bank statements as well.
[email protected]
Former COs took regimental funds - search warrant
Jason Proctor
The Province
Canadian military police are investigating whether two previous commanding officers of the Seaforth Highlanders misappropriated more than $45,000 worth of funds from a foundation set up to benefit the reserve regiment.
A search warrant obtained by The Province alleges that money from the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Fund was placed directly into the personal accounts of Donald Chipman and his successor, Peter Thomas.
The secretary/treasurer of the organization -- Michael Shields -- is also named in the court document.
"A preliminary financial audit of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada‘s Regimental Fund revealed that between March 1997 and December 2000, multiple breaches of Canadian Forces administrative and financial regulations had taken place," reads the information filed to obtain the warrant.
"The findings also indicated that a significant amount of money could not be accounted for and may have been stolen or misappropriated."
No charges have been laid against any of the men named in the warrant.
But spokesman Capt. Mark Giles confirmed Friday that the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service is conducting an investigation in the Vancouver area.
Chipman served as commanding officer of the Seaforth Highlanders between May 26, 1996, and Sept. 18, 1999. Thomas succeeded him, serving until May 11, 2002.
"There was no misappropriation of funds," Chipman told The Province.
"I‘ll wait until they ask me -- and answer their questions."
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Fund is a charitable organization managed by the Vancouver Foundation, which in turn pays dividends back to the the regiment.
According to the warrant, the investigation follows a paper trail that found that cheques equal to the amounts being written to the regiment were then signed over to "the Commanding Officers Fund."
The warrant claims that $25,000 of that money went into Chipman‘s personal VanCity account and $20,000 went into Thomas‘ account at Canada Trust.
Bank records for Chipman indicate that he then paid hydro and insurance bills and made a loan repayment.
He also allegedly received $817.06 from the fund for repairs to the mirror assemblies of his 1992 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle.
Investigators were hoping to review Thomas‘ bank statements as well.
[email protected]
