Advertisement

Man accused of stealing millions from Sask. First Nation fires lawyer

Hugo Gallegos, accused of stealing millions of dollars from a Sask. First Nation, has fired his lawyer and delayed entering a plea in court. Vytai Brannan / Global News

SASKATOON – The man accused of defrauding a Saskatchewan First Nation out of millions of dollars has fired his lawyer. Hugo Gallegos, the former accountant for the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, was expected to enter a plea in court on Thursday.

Instead, he fired his lawyer and his new lawyer asked for a two-week adjournment in order to review the case.

Gallegos was charged with fraud, theft and laundering in September 2013 after millions of dollars allegedly went missing from the First Nation located south of Saskatoon.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

He fled to El Salvador prior to the charges being laid, but returned on his own accord in October 2013.

READ MORE: Former Sask. FN employee accused of stealing over $1M turns himself in

Many members of the First Nation were in court for today’s appearance.

Story continues below advertisement

Chief Darcy Bear believes today’s move is a stalling tactic.

“What goes on in that man’s mind is beyond me,” said Bear. “We’re extremely disappointed. As a community, we were expecting this matter to be addressed today and sentencing.”

Gallegos will be back in court on June 18 to enter a plea.

Wendy Winiewski contributed to this story

Sponsored content

AdChoices