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Police lay 99 charges against organizers of 2008 Red Deer Rig Expo

Red Deer City RCMP have laid 99 fraud-related charges against a Kamloops area couple following an extensive investigation into allegations surrounding trade shows.
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Karyn Smith of Choice Hotels

Red Deer City RCMP have laid 99 fraud-related charges against a Kamloops area couple following an extensive investigation into allegations surrounding trade shows.

The Red Deer city RCMP fraud unit has laid the charges against the duo after conducting several fraud investigations in the city. Red Deer RCMP allege the total number of victims at this time extends to 83, with the victims defrauded more than $210,000.

In March 2009, a potential exhibitor of the Big Buck and Bull Classic Trade Show called police because of concerns. It was to be held in Red Deer in June 2009, but ended up being cancelled.

As a result of investigating this trade show, RCMP began re-investigating the Rig Expo Trade Show. It was held in May 2008 at Red Deer’s Capri Hotel, Trade and Convention Centre and was later dubbed a failure by exhibitors when only 22 attendees showed up.

Police allege that in the planning of these and other trade shows, it was for pure profit and that there was no intention of following through on certain promises made by the event organizers. Police also allege that four of the trade shows never went ahead as scheduled and no refunds were ever issued by the organizers. Police obtained warrants for the arrest of Paul and Gloria Pearson.

On Wednesday, the fraud unit, with the assistance of Kamloops RCMP General Investigation Section and Barriere RCMP detachment, arrested Gloria Pearson, 59, without incident at her home outside of Kamloops. Police also obtained a search warrant for the house where they seized computers and documents supporting the allegations.

Paul Pearson, 57, turned himself into the Red Deer city RCMP detachment today.

Paul Pearson, also known as Dave Cole, Lorne Hammel and Paul Pierson, was remanded in custody and is set to appear in Red Deer provincial court on June 18 with one count of laundering proceeds of crime, one count of fraud over $5,000 against the federal government, three counts of fraud over $5,000 and 81 counts of fraud under $5,000.

Gloria Pearson, also known as Gloria Cole, Gloria Dawson, Gloria Kyle and Tina Cole, has been charged with one count of laundering proceeds of crime, one count of fraud over $5,000 against the federal government, three counts of fraud over $5,000 and 81 counts of fraud under $5,000. Gloria Pearson was released on bail and is set to appear in Red Deer provincial court on June 30.