 | E-mail this story |  | Write letter to editor |  | Order a classified ad |
| E-mail this story | | Write letter to editor | | Order a classified ad |
Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
DDC vice-president Joseph Kochon, the corporation's Sahtu representative, said he was told not to speak to reporters about former DDC consultant and Shehtah Drilling business manager, Brian Fraser.
The DDC has accused Fraser of re-directing $704,000 from two DDC subsidiaries -- Northern Aboriginal Services Co. and Shehtah Drilling -- into his own companies in Fort Smith.
Kochon said only DDC president John Bekale has the authority to speak to the unproven allegations. "I've taken orders not to say anything," said Kochon.
"We have a standing order that (Bekale) takes all the questions on that matter."
News/North has called Bekale repeatedly since rumours of trouble began to circulate last November. He has yet to return a single phone call.
Dene Nation Grand Chief Noeline Villebrun said she was alerted to a potential problem during the DDC annual general meeting last December, but has heard little since. "There's talk but nobody knew too many of the details," said Villebrun. She said she heard DDC is planning a special assembly to discuss the scandal with members, but she isn't sure when it will happen.
Fraser's NWT holdings and properties were frozen in territorial Supreme Court, March 5, after it was learned that there was a break-in at DDC headquarters in Yellowknife. A sworn affidavit signed by DDC manager Margaret Gorman alleges that someone accessed her computer and sent important court documents to Fraser's computer.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Daryl Key said police are still investigating the break-in, but no charges have been laid yet. He also said RCMP have not investigated Fraser's dealings with DDC because no one has filed a complaint.
While allegations made against Fraser have to be proven, Villebrun said she is worried about the damage they may cause to the corporation and other aboriginal-owned businesses.
"A lot of our native organizations and businesses are struggling to stay in competition with the rest of the companies in the North, and to have this happen to us is devastating," said Villebrun.
Fraser could not be reached for comment.
