Two of three pharmacists charged with fraud, theft have trial date set
By Peggy Revell on August 15, 2017.
prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell 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 Provincial 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, and the trial date will be set on Sept. 5. 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 that 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. 9-8
