Watson Lake (August 11, 2020) – The Yukon RCMP laid charges against former Watson Lake mayor Cheryl O’Brien in connection with a fraud investigation on August 7. She is accused of fraudulently depositing business cheques into a personal bank account. She has been charged with Fraud Over $5,000 and Forgery for the alleged fraud against a local business. O’Brien resigned as mayor because of ‘personal matters’ on August 6. Christopher Irvin took on the mayor’s responsibilities.
Yukon RCMP laid charges against former Watson Lake mayor, Cheryl O’Brien, according to a press release issued by the Mounties. The charges are a result of an investigation into an alleged fraud against a local business.
Watson Lake business duped in cheque fraud
The RCMP alleged that O’Brien fraudulently deposited business cheques into a personal bank account between May 20 and July 29 of this year. The alleged fraud hit a business in Watson Lake.
The authorities did not further disclose the circumstances of the issue and stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing and that they will not release any further information at this time.
Former Watson Lake mayor charged with fraud
Yukon’s Mounties charged O’Brien with Fraud Over $5,000 and Forgery. The 46-year-old was released and is scheduled to appear in court on October 6.
O’Brien resigned as mayor on August 6 because of personal matters, according to the minutes of Watson Lake Council’s emergency meeting on August 9. In the same meeting, the Council formally accepted O’Brien’s resignation and announced that Christopher Irvin took on the mayor’s responsibilities until the town voted for a new mayor in a By-Election.
The Deputy stated that ‘the town won’t be providing any more details at this time to protect her [O’Brien’s] privacy and wellbeing’.
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