RCMP have laid charges and issued a warrant for a rest in connection with a fraud investigation that began in April of 2007.
In April 2007, following a referral from the Department of Canadian Heritage in Winnipeg, the RCMP Winnipeg Commercial Crime Section (CCS) began an investigation into allegations that funds allocated to Red Earth Young Artist Collective (REYAC), based out of Winnipeg, had been fraudulently obtained and subsequently disbursed.
On September 2, 2010, the RCMP CCS charged 35-year-old Christine Dawn Lenze of Hamilton, Ontario with fraud over $5,000 and two counts of breach of trust by a public officer on offences that allegedly occurred between December 2004 and January 2006. Lenze was a former Program Officer for the Department of Canadian Heritage responsible for the oversight of REYAC.
A warrant for her arrest has been issued. 35-year-old Christine Dawn Lenze (nee Daniels) is described as aboriginal in appearance, 5’8″ tall, black hair and brown eyes. RCMP believe she may be in the United States.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the RCMP Winnipeg Commercial Crime Section at (204) 983-2000 or Manitoba Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or submit a secure tip online at manitobacrimestoppers.com or via text “TIPMAN” plus your message to Crimes (274637).
Update 10/27/10 8:51am
On October 26, 2010, Christine Lenze turned herself in to the RCMP Commercial Crime Section in Winnipeg. Lenze appeared in a Winnipeg court and was released on a Recognizance. Her first court appearance is set for November 30, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
