Latest news with #TimDubé
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Both of Daniel Bard's lawyers now on medical leave, trial halted until June
Social Sharing The trial of a former Moncton executive accused of 19 financial crimes has been adjourned for more than two weeks, adding to a growing list of delays caused by Daniel Bard's own defence team. Friday's court proceedings in Moncton began with Judge Anne Richard finding out that defence lawyer Tim Dubé had informed the court around 10 p.m. Thursday that he had become ill and would not return to court until June. Dubé was recently assigned greater responsibility in the case after Bard's former lead defence lawyer James Matheson told the court last week that he received orders from a doctor to take a medical leave, also until June. Bard, who said he only found out about Dubé's sudden absence Friday morning, stood up in court when given the chance to speak. "I've been shaking since I heard," he said. Bard has been on trial since April 22 for charges including fraud, theft and money laundering, some of which relate to his time as vice-president of investment attraction with the Greater Moncton business development agency, 3+. Guillaume LeBlanc, who briefly acted as an agent for Dubé Friday morning, didn't give specifics about the reason for the leave but said Dubé could not be present "for medical reasons." He said the situation now makes it so that "Mr. Bard is not in a position to proceed." Richard previously ruled on a Crown motion that Dubé be present in court for any evidence to be heard for the remainder of the trial. Which means Dubé's absence leaves Bard without representation for now. "I wish to adjourn if possible, your honour," Bard said. "Until I find out what's going on." Richard adjourned the trial until June 3, a proceeding which she said will likely focus on managing the case "to see where things are at that time."
CBC
14-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Weeks-long delay in Bard trial denied, defence asks no questions to recalled witness
A judge on Wednesday rejected a request for a multi-week delay in Daniel Bard's trial on alleged financial crimes. Bard, 60, is on trial on 19 charges that include fraud, theft, possession of property obtained by crime and money laundering. Bard's six-week trial in Moncton provincial court started April 22 when he was represented by defence lawyer James Matheson. Matheson this week was told by a doctor to take a medical leave until early June, leaving Bard represented by Tim Dubé, who had a lesser role when the trial began. Dubé told Judge Anne Richard on Tuesday he'd be ready to continue Wednesday. But when the case resumed Wednesday morning, he asked for a delay of two to four weeks to review material related to the case. Crown prosecutors initially objected, but later said they'd consent if Bard waived his Charter right to be tried in a timely manner for the period between the start of the trial and its conclusion. Dubé previously filed a request for Bard's charges to be stayed, arguing that his right to a speedy trial has been violated. Dubé on Wednesday said Bard wouldn't waive that right and Richard said testimony would continue. The first witness was Saly Davis, a co-owner of a business Bard allegedly defrauded, who testified earlier in the trial. Davis was recalled after Matheson said he may not have been fully competent during her testimony and cross-examination. With Davis back in the witness box, the judge turned to Dubé and asked if he had questions for her. "No questions," Dubé replied. "She was brought back at defence request to have further cross-examination in light of the comments that defence counsel Matheson had given on May 1 related to his ability to understand what happened, or his health on April 30," the judge said. "So in light of that, you still don't wish to cross-examine or ask any questions of this witness?" Dubé said he wasn't ready to continue Wednesday. "You're not prepared?" Richard asked. "Since the time of this particular trial you've had no preparation for the witness even though we've discussed on a number of occasions that she was going to be re-testifying on cross-examination?" Dubé repeated he had yet to review the boxes of documents so he wasn't ready to ask questions. The judge dismissed Davis and the Crown called its next witness. Mario McGraw, an intelligence officer in Moncton with the Canada Border Services Agency, testified about a list of times Bard re-entered Canada between January 2016 and December 2020. The list included 30 entries — many of them through airports in Toronto and Montreal in 2017 and 2018. The trial has heard various references to Bard travelling overseas during the time he allegedly was defrauding or stealing from businesses. Witnesses have testified Bard claimed to be working with businesses in Spain or Italy. Dubé said he had no cross-examination questions for McGraw.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Moncton man on trial for alleged financial crimes loses lawyer, case expected to continue
A man on trial in Moncton for alleged financial crimes lost his lawyer due to a medical issue, but the case is expected to continue with another defence lawyer. Daniel Bard, 60, is being tried in provincial court on 19 charges that include theft, fraud, money laundering and possession of property obtained by crime. The six-week trial began April 22 with Bard represented by defence lawyer James Matheson. Tim Dubé was appointed as amicus curiae, a Latin term meaning friend of the court, initially to assist with cross-examination. As the trial unfolded, Matheson's health led to several delays. Judge Anne Richard ordered Dubé to take a larger role in the trial, including being present for all testimony and to represent Bard if Matheson was unavailable. On Tuesday, Dubé told Richard that Matheson had been hospitalized and that a doctor had instructed him to take a sick leave until June 3, after the trial is scheduled to conclude. Dubé asked Richard to adjourn the trial Tuesday to give him time to prepare for witness testimony on Wednesday. The judge asked Dubé to see whether his other cases could be rescheduled so he could be present for Bard's trial to avoid further delays. The trial has heard testimony from 16 witnesses so far, with two expected to be recalled to allow Dubé to cross-examine them. Some of the allegations against Bard date to when he was vice-president of investment attraction at 3+ Corp., a municipally funded economic development agency in the Moncton region.
