The RCMP is investigating potential financial irregularities at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
In a brief statement, CAO Scott Hildebrand says the regional district has forwarded information to police to investigate. This comes as the TNRD put out a request for proposal as it conducts its own independent review and forensic audit of its financial records.
“The TNRD’s financial review and forensic audit will proceed as planned, but will be independent of any investigation the RCMP might undertake,” Hildebrand said. “Information obtained during the audit will be forwarded to the RCMP, where applicable.”
Hildebrand says the TNRD remains committed to ensuring full transparency and accountability throughout this process.
“[The regional district] will report to the public the results of the forensic audit,” he said. “However, the TNRD cannot make further comments regarding this RCMP matter or any other criminal investigation.”
The audit comes after a report from Kamloops This Week showed more than $517,000 of taxpayers money was expensed by former CAO, Sukh Gill between 2015 and 2020. Much of that spending was on luxury hotels, fine restaurants, coffee shops, golf courses and other high-end discretionary locations, for himself and other TNRD directors and staff.
Hildebrand previously told NL News that taxpayers can be assured that he is not spending money the way his predecessor was.
NL News has reached out to BC RCMP for any more information on its investigation.