Former legion branch executives accused of stealing $60K

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This article was published 01/05/2025 (331 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The former president and vice-president of the now-shuttered Brooklands and Weston Legion — at the time the second-oldest branch in the country — have been accused of stealing $60,000 from its coffers.

Winnipeg police said Thursday a 70-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman are facing charges of theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000.

Police said the pair were arrested at their residence in Winnipeg Beach Wednesday.

The couple, identified by former Legion members as Rob Gault and Arlene Holmes, were released on a promise to appear in court.

No court date has been set.

Steve Killeen, who became president after Gault at the No. 2 branch of the legion, and his wife Karin Peterson, who organized fundraising events there until provincial command suddenly padlocked the Logan Avenue facility’s doors in February, said they are relieved to hear charges were laid.

“I’m just surprised it took this long,” Killeen said.

“Sixty-thousand dollars would have helped us keep it open.”

Gault and Holmes could not be reached for comment.

No one from the Royal Canadian Legion Manitoba and Northwest Ontario Command could be reached for comment.

Nujma Bond, the legion’s national spokesperson, said “the legion’s volunteers are its foundation and they do amazing work across Canada, so it’s extremely disappointing to have such an allegation surface.

“This sort of situation is unusual and not something our independent provincial commands report as a regular concern. We take great pride in our thousands of volunteers who work daily to ensure that our veterans, their families, and communities are supported.”

Legions across the country were first founded during the latter part of the First World War, when injured veterans began returning home.

A war memorial was built outside the Brooklands and Weston Branch in 1935.

At the time of its closure, the branch at 1613 Logan Ave., was believed to be the oldest still in operation across the country.

Police said its financial crimes unit launched an investigation in December 2023 after receiving a tip.

The investigation determined a man and a woman, with “designated operational positions” and who were not in paid positions, had access to the branch’s bank account and signing authority.

Police said they found that between May 2020 and April 2023, the pair allegedly diverted about $60,000 into their bank account, which they used “for personal gain.”

As well, the funds were used to pay the male an honorarium to “which he was not entitled.”