“He’s not guilty and this is being hard fought,” remarked Bruce Wilson, defence counsel for Trevor Zachary, during a break in court today.
In June 2013, Zachary, former Essar Centre and Events Manager in Sault Ste. Marie, was slapped with 21 charges that include:
- Four counts of Fraud over $5,000 related to the misappropriation of funds for personal gain and preventing revenues for the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie
- Eight counts of Forgery for creating false record which were acted on as being genuine
- Eight counts of Uttering a Forged Document which caused the Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie to act upon the documents as if they were genuine
- One count of Breach of Trust by a Public Officer for deceitfully or fraudulently using public funds and municipal recreational facilities.
Zachary was in court today appearing relaxed as he spoke with his defence. The morning was a dry affair with assistant Crown Attorney, David Kirk, calling two witnesses before Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn.
A court ordered publication ban prohibits the reporting of evidence presented during the preliminary inquiry.
“It’s been a slow slogging match,” commented Wilson of the inquiry. “Eventually we’ll get a decision from the judge and we hope that it is in our favour. There is insufficient evidence to order him to stand trial.
Zachary was employed in his position with the City of Sault Ste. Marie between 2008 -2013. During that time Zachary brought in acts that included Sheryl Crow, David Copperfield, Harlem Globetrotters, Bryan Adams, Gordon Lightfoot, Blue Man Group, Elton John and Celebration on Ice, the Tour.
The preliminary inquiry resumes tomorrow morning at the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse and is open to the public.
