January trial set for pharmacist pair charged with fraud and theft
By Peggy Revell on August 16, 2017.
Medicine Hat News A multi-day trial will run in January for two of three local pharmacists facing charges of fraud and theft over $5,000. Defence counsel for Kathryn Keiser and Evan King appeared in Medicine Hat Court Tuesday to officially set a trial date for the pair for Jan. 22-30, now that not-guilty pleas have been entered. Counsel for the third pharmacist, Robert Stadnyk, entered not-guilty pleas on his client’s behalf Tuesday, with an appearance set for Sept. 5 to set a trial date. A specialized prosecutor for economic crime out of Calgary has been assigned to the case. All three of the individuals face a charge for fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000, stemming from allegations they received rebates and incentive payments to the sum of $1.6 million directly through negotiating drug purchases. All three worked at pharmacies owned by the Medicine Hat Co-op (now known as South Country Co-op), and have since had their employment terminated. Investigation into the fraud began in December 2015, after the business contacted police. 8-7
