The Saskatchewan RCMP has announced they have found no evidence to support criminal charges in connection to land transactions for the Global Transportation Hub.
The investigation began in February 2016 and examined transactions that took place between March 2012 and April 2014. The investigative team consisted of as many as 10 members, with all of them experienced in commercial crime and fraud-related investigations.
“As the investigating police agency, our responsibility was to determine if any criminal wrongdoing took place, setting aside perception and publicity and focusing on the evidence,” said Supt. Paul Saganski, federal criminal operations officer. “As such, the evidence did not support the laying of criminal charges. Therefore, the RCMP is no longer actively investigating this matter.”
Back in June 2016, the provincial auditor presented a report that showed that 41 acres was purchased at a cost of $1.2 million in February 2013, followed by 204 acres that was purchased at a cost of $21 million in March 2014 – about 3.5 times more per acre. The auditor concluded the Global Transportation Hub administration needed to better co-ordinate its land purchases to save taxpayers money.
Ryan Meili, the leader of the opposition New Democrats, said in a statement that just because no charges have been laid doesn’t mean there was no wrongdoing. He added his party continues their call for a full judicial inquiry on the matter.
