With his trial over allegations of major fraud entering its third week, defendant Michael Elphicke is expected to testify on Monday.
Elphicke is one of two men accused of fraud over $5,000 after a European hockey trip he helped organize failed to materialize. That’s despite well over $100,000 poured into the venture by parents.
Here’s a look at what we’ve seen in trial, so far:
Michael Elphicke's #Penticton fraud trial is entering its 3rd & final week. He's expected to testify Monday. Here's what's happened so far: pic.twitter.com/GjKtsfiwrp
— Dustin Godfrey (@dustinrgodfrey) September 25, 2017
The trial started off with a bang after co-accused Loren Reagan failed to show up, allegedly working for an oil company in Kuwait.
Trial continued for Elphicke, who is claiming to be a victim, himself, of what he is painting as a one-man scam by Reagan.
The court has heard from several hockey parents, who say they contributed thousands to the trip.
One parent said she felt financially embarrassed by Elphicke after he approached her for money in front of her peers.
But not one said Elphicke and Reagan were expected to profit from the trip.
Despite that, a forensic accountant says $17,000 went directly to or benefited Elphicke.
That’s shy of the over $30,000 that went toward Reagan and the over $40,000 that went to a failed hockey dorm project by Reagan.
Elphicke’s trial is expected to wrap up this week.