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Prelim continues in Essar Centre fraud case

The first week of a preliminary hearing for a former Essar Centre manager charged with 21 fraud-related offences wrapped up Friday with the Crown's first witness still on the stand.

The first week of a preliminary hearing for a former Essar Centre manager charged with 21 fraud-related offences wrapped up Friday with the Crown's first witness still on the stand.

Prosecutor David Kirk's initial witness began testifying Monday at the inquiry which will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial on the charges Trevor Zachary faces.

The witness will be back on the stand next Monday as defence counsel Bruce Willson continues his cross examination.

Zachary, 41, is charged with offences alleged to have occurred between 2008 and 2013, when he was employedby the city of Sault Ste. Marie as the marketing and events manager for the centre.

A publication ban, imposed by Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn, prohibits reporting any evidence heard during the preliminary inquiry.

Two weeks have been set aside for the hearing, but Willson said Friday outside the courtroom that it appears they will run out of time and a further date will need to be scheduled.

Zachary is charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000 related to misappropriation of funds for personal gain and preventing revenues for the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

He also faces eight counts of forgery for creating false records and eight counts of uttering forged documents.

As well, Zachary is charged with a single count of breach of trust by a public officer for deceitfully or fraudulently using public funds and municipal recreational facilities.

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Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

Zachary prelim begins, scheduled for two weeks


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About the Author: Linda Richardson

Linda Richardson is a freelance journalist who has been covering Sault Ste. Marie's courts and other local news for more than 45 years.
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