Dane Skinner (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman (rdnewsNOW)

Complex Case

Lengthy trial anticipated in alleged $2.6 fraud case involving Sylvan Lake man

Oct 7, 2019 | 12:38 PM

A Sylvan Lake man accused of defrauding multiple people of over $2.6 million made a brief appearance in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday.

Dane Michael Skinner, 55, is in the process of trying to secure a new lawyer ahead of an arraignment date now set for Nov. 4. It’s hoped that by that time Skinner will have a new lawyer in place for a five-day pre-trial conference tentatively set for Feb. 10-14, 2020.

Crown prosecutor Peter Mackenzie told court Monday that seven weeks would likely be needed for Skinner’s trial, including 12 days for the Crown to present its case without a jury, or 13 days for a jury trial.

Tentative trial dates have been set for March 1 to April 16, 2021. However, according to R v Jordan, a trial must begin within 30 months of charges being laid in Court of Queen’s Bench cases, meaning Skinner would not be tried in a reasonable amount of time.

Mackenzie informed court that Skinner’s ‘Jordan date’ is January 24, 2021. As a result, other locations such as Calgary or Edmonton may be considered to ensure the trial takes place on time.

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Skinner was arrested by Red Deer and Blackfalds RCMP on July 25, 2018 and charged with fraud, laundering proceeds of crime and two counts of uttering threats.

The arrest came after an extensive and complex, years-long investigation by Blackfalds RCMP and Red Deer Financial Crimes Unit which began in September 2013.

According to RCMP, the alleged offences occurred between December 5, 2007 and February 28, 2013 in Lacombe and involved two numbered companies (1518869 Alberta Ltd. / 1367158 Alberta Ltd.), as well as N.E.X.T. Legacy Technologies Ltd.

Mounties allege Skinner misrepresented and advertised a ‘revolutionary fracking product’ which resulted in lucrative financial gains. As a result, numerous victims were enticed to invest in the company, with losses to those investors reported to be over $2.6 million.

“This fraud was very elaborate, and consequently, our investigation has been very elaborate and has involved substantial resources and time,” said Constable Bill Lewadniuk of the Financial Crimes Unit, in a press release at the time of Skinner’s arrest. “We hope that this successful outcome brings a sense of closure to the multitude of victims affected by this crime.”