Accusations of fraud unfounded, says Ell
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jun 04/01) - Amid allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement, Jerry Ell stepped down as president of the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
Ell led the Baffin birthright business for almost six years, until tendering his resignation May 25.
Moments before hopping on a plane for Rankin Inlet last Wednesday -- aboard an airline he helped the corporation purchase three years ago -- Ell said a combination of factors lead to his resignation.
Along with major changes in his personal life and the recent death of his father, Ell said he was accused of misusing beneficiary dollars.
"The other part that played a role was the allegations made against me that I'm mismanaging funds and taking money from QC for my personal benefit. That is not the case at all," said Ell.
While calling the charges unfair and unfounded, Ell refused to say who levelled the accusations against him.
"It's not fair. We've always had clean audits. Based on good financial management, we were able to make a profit," said Ell.
"There's no fraud. There never has been. I've never had those inclinations. Every time that question has come up, the audits have always come clean."
Former chief executive officer Pitseolak Pfeifer made similar claims against Ell nearly two years ago. After being fired for undisclosed reasons, Pfeifer accused Ell of fraud. An audit conducted by the Iqaluit-based accounting firm Mackay Landau showed those accusations to be false.
Ell also said differences in future direction for QC lead to his resignation.
And, while Ell reportedly resigned from the position and was not terminated, he did receive a severance package. Ell refused to comment on the amount of money he was given, as did CEO Methusalah Kunuk.
As to why Ell was given a severance package at all, Kunuk said it was a decision made by QC's board.
Ell said he plans to take some time off before re-starting his own consulting firm in July.
Meeka Kilabuk, the president of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association -- the organization QC is accountable to -- did not return calls by press time.
