Head of Sandy Bay CFS fired

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This article was published 15/09/2021 (1506 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The longtime executive director of the Sandy Bay First Nation’s child welfare office has been fired over allegations of financial impropriety while a criminal investigation has been launched.

A statement by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, on behalf of the Southern First Nations Network of Care, said on Wednesday that Richard De La Ronde’s employment was terminated.

“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization fully supports the SFNNC in carrying out its responsibilities to ensure accountability of its agencies and in reporting and updating the Sandy Bay First Nation community and its government on the findings of the operational review,” the statement said.

“The SFNNC put together an administrative team to oversee responsibility for the CFS agency, while the agency’s executive director was put on administrative leave.

“De La Ronde’s employment with Sandy Bay CFS has been terminated.”

During a brief interview, Sandy Bay Chief Trevor Prince said, “I’m just glad it is moving in the direction it is heading and that the people that are involved are held accountable.”

Insp. Darryl Hunter, of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, confirmed officers are looking into the matter.

“There is an investigation ongoing,” said Hunter.

“I can’t comment further, but there has not been any charges laid.”

De La Ronde could not be reached for comment.

The SCO statement said the SFNNC put the Sandy Bay CFS under administration on June 8 after it “became concerned after noticing irregularities”.

A forensic review was launched and is ongoing. SCO said the review is looking into a company owned by De La Ronde, RADKA Inc., which leases property to the Sandy Bay CFS.

As well, SCO said the review is looking into financial transactions connected to the Children’s Special Allowance account and rent paid to RADKA for new offices that are being constructed at Sandy Bay. The new office is being built to replace one that was destroyed in a fire in 2019.

SCO said when the Sandy Bay CFS was put under administration, it stopped paying the personal credit cards of both De La Ronde and his wife.

The forensic auditor finished a preliminary report last month. An interim report is to be completed within the next few weeks and a final report by December. The SFNNC is working with an auditor to complete the 2021 fiscal year audit and has received past audits, including the 2019-20 fiscal year.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca