Man accused of fraud must re-engage lawyer or represent himself

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 8, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

A Medicine Hat man facing fraud charges will need to re-engage his lawyer or be prepared to represent himself next month, a judge told Medicine Hat Provincial Court on Tuesday.

Chad Dale Fontaine faces three separate sets of charges that he committed fraud valued greater than $5,000 between 2019 and 2021. All three are scheduled to proceed to preliminary hearings in early 2023.

On Tuesday however, defence attorney Greg White told the court he came on the case in early July only with agreement to help Fontaine go through a large amount of evidence disclosed by the Crown in the cases.

That is completed, said White, but a new agreement would be needed to have his office represent him in court proceedings, including a short trial set for Jan. 9 of accusations Fontaine breached a probation order early this year.

“My intention is to retain Mr. White,” said Fontaine, who now lives out of town, but appeared in person on Tuesday.

White said he will be in Medicine Hat in person on Jan. 9 and could help with the trial, but other proceedings will require a new agreement.

Those hearings are set to take place in February, March and June of next year.

Fontaine has pleaded not guilty to one fraud charge laid in 2019. The March hearing will focus on three fraud over $5,000 and other allegations, and will determine if the case should proceed to trial.

The dates were kept while the accused and counsel have discussions.

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