A Winnipeg man has been charged with theft and fraud, accused of stealing about $1 million from a First Nation northwest of Winnipeg and from an aboriginal health group.

Daryl Cote, 53, the former CEO of Anishinaabe Mino-Ayaawin Inc. and former co-manager of Dauphin River First Nation, was charged after a four-year investigation, RCMP announced Wednesday morning.

RCMP allege that, between October 1999 and March 2004, Cote stole $717,900 from Anishinaabe Mino-Ayaawin Inc., an organization that delivers and monitors health programs and services to the Interlake Reserve Tribal Council (IRTC) members.

Police also allege Cote stole $310,150 from the Dauphin River First Nation between February 2001 and February 2004.

The investigation is ongoing, according to RCMP.

Corrections and Clarifications

  • The original version of this story may have given some readers the impression that Daryl Cote is a First Nations man. In fact, although Cote is a former co-manager of Dauphin River First Nation and former CEO of Anishinaabe Mino-Ayaawin Inc., he is not First Nations. Feb. 12, 2009 | 2:04 p.m. CT