Trial dates cancelled as former Moncton economic development VP seeks new lawyer

The pending trial of a former Moncton-area economic development agency executive is being rescheduled as he seeks a new lawyer.

Daniel Bard, 59, faces 19 charges of fraud, theft, possession of property obtained by crime and money laundering.

He was set to stand trial over 17 days starting Nov. 14, but is no longer represented by defence lawyer T.J. Burke. That's led to the trial dates being cancelled.

Bard appeared in Moncton provincial court on Wednesday to set new dates but told Judge Suzanne Bernard that he's still in the process of securing another lawyer.

"The money is being transferred from Europe, so it takes time," Bard told the judge. He didn't elaborate on the source of the money.

Bard requested a three-week delay to secure a lawyer. 

Returns to court Nov. 15

Crown prosecutor Andrew Pollabauer, appearing by phone from Saint John, agreed Bard needed a lawyer before new dates could be set. 

"There's a significant trial in terms of the amount of days, so we would anticipate needing counsel to confirm those dates in advance," Pollabauer said.

The judge said she hoped Bard would have a lawyer present when the case returns to court Nov. 15.

Bard was vice-president of investment attraction for 3+ Corporation, a municipally funded agency, between 2016 and 2018.

In 2019, CBC reported that Bard was accused by several business owners and individuals of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in administrative and brokerage fees while working for the agency but failing to deliver on the promises, then vanishing for several years.

Bard was arrested in Edmundston in May 2022 and charges were laid in July 2022. 

RCMP previously said the charges followed an investigation that began in 2019 into financial irregularities amounting to more than $1 million.

The charges allege he defrauded five companies of more than $5,000, attempted to defraud another company and stole from six companies. He faces one count of money laundering the proceeds of crime.

It's also alleged he had a Dieppe house, an Audi A4 and four Harley-Davidson motorcycles that were obtained with the proceeds of a crime. 

The charges allege the crimes happened between January 2016 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Bard pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains free on bail under conditions that include remaining in the province, though has at several points been allowed to go to Quebec.