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.