More delays in trial of Moncton man accused of fraud, theft

Katelin Belliveau · CBC

· Posted: May 05, 2025 5:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

The 3rd week of Daniel Bard's proceedings began with much delays and discussions about how the proceedings volition proceed.

Judge Anne Richard ruled that the defence's co-council Tim Dubé must beryllium contiguous for immoderate grounds to beryllium heard moving forward.

That means the proceedings volition not proceed erstwhile Dubé is incapable to be tribunal — adjacent if defence lawyer James Matheson is contiguous and capable to correspond Bard.

Bard, a 60-year-old former Moncton executive, is facing 19 charges, including fraud, theft, wealth laundering and possession of spot obtained by crime.

Bard's trial, which began connected April 22, was antecedently adjourned due to Matheson's health concerns.

In tribunal Monday, Matheson said helium was acceptable to proceed but that his wellness was inactive "day to day."

When fixed the accidental to speak, Bard told the tribunal helium was satisfied with his defence and that helium would have no contented with the proceedings continuing adjacent if Dubé was unavailable.

Still, Richard said the work of the tribunal is to marque definite Bard has a timely proceedings and that she was taking this approach "just to beryllium safe."

Last Thursday, the proceedings was adjourned to let Matheson more clip to retrieve aft he claimed helium whitethorn not person been wholly competent during erstwhile grounds owed to his health.

"I evidently was successful distress that day," Matheson said successful tribunal Monday, adding that helium had made "significant improvements" implicit the weekend.

Following Matheson's connection past week, the Crown said they would callback immoderate witnesses the defence needed.

Matheson said the defence would similar Saly and Clinton Davis, 2 alleged victims of Bard, to present their grounds and be cross-examined for a 2nd time.

Last week, the brace spoke astir the interaction that Bard's alleged actions had connected them personally and financially. Bard is accused of stealing and defrauding their institution of more than $5,000.

• Daniel Bard's alleged actions 'destructive,' concern proprietor testifies arsenic proceedings continues

Some of the charges against Bard day backmost to his clip arsenic vice-president astatine 3+, an concern attraction bureau funded by Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview which aimed to bring caller concern to the area.

Dubé, who had been appointed to grip cross-examination of witnesses to enactment Matheson last week, told the tribunal that helium won't beryllium disposable for respective days successful the coming weeks owed to conflicting trials successful different courts, including Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

After her procedural decision, Richard said she is prepared to adhd other days to the proceedings if Dubé's docket and different factors demand it.

"I'm precise flexible to proceed this proceedings for arsenic agelong arsenic we request to bash so," she said. "June, July, August — whatever — I'll alteration my schedule."

The proceedings is acceptable to resume connected Friday owed to conflicts successful some Dubé's and Richard's schedules.