Former Pembina Hills Supt. Richard Harvey’s next scheduled court date is Oct. 14, 2014, at which time he will stand trial.
Although all of his previous scheduled appearances have taken place in Barrhead Provincial Court over the past 11 months, his trial is slated to take place in St. Albert Provincial court over four days, Oct. 14-17.
Albert Justice spokesperson Michelle Davio explained the reason for the venue change was to allow the matter to go to trial sooner than had it remained in Barrhead.
However, Harvey is scheduled to participate in a pre-trial conference on March 21, 2014 in Barrhead.
Harvey, 61, was formally charged with fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust on Oct. 16, 2012, following a two-year investigation by Barrhead RCMP.
He is alleged to have filed excessive expense claims during his four years as superintendent from Aug. 1, 2006 until leaving the division without warning or explanation on Oct. 23, 2010.
Harvey’s first court appearance was on Jan. 8, 2013, at which time he requested disclosure from the Crown through his lawyer, and asked for six weeks to review the disclosure package.
Since that first scheduled appearance, neither Harvey nor his lawyer, Peter J. Royal, have appeared in person. Instead, whichever lawyer has been present as duty counsel has made any requests on Harvey and Royal’s behalf.
Harvey was scheduled to enter a plea on July 23, but again asked for more time.
After several more delays, Harvey finally entered a not-guilty plea on Nov. 26 through then-duty counsel Traci Overacker when setting his October 2014 trial dates.
