Preliminary inquiry underway in Bowness fraud case involving alleged $66,000 loss
Calgary court opens preliminary inquiry in the Bowness fraud case after two men were charged with allegedly defrauding the Bowness Ratepayers Scout & Guide Association.
Two Calgary men have appeared in court this week as a preliminary inquiry opened into what prosecutors describe as the Bowness fraud case, alleging the misappropriation of more than $66,000 from a local community group. The hearing, held at the Calgary Court of Justice, will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to send the matter to a jury trial. The men, charged in June 2024, deny the criminal allegation at this stage and remain at liberty.
Preliminary inquiry and court schedule
The preliminary inquiry began on a Tuesday before Justice Kristin Fahlman, with Crown prosecutor Erin Norman indicating the Crown expects to call up to five witnesses during the scheduled three-day hearing. The limited proceeding is designed to test whether the Crown has enough evidence to proceed to trial, not to determine guilt or innocence. One of the accused, Joshua Tyler Bredo, asked for and was granted a publication ban covering testimony during the proceedings.
Allegations of fraud and alleged losses
Bredo and his co-accused, Nathan Michael Mizera, each face a single count of fraud tied to their involvement with the Bowness Ratepayers Scout and Guide Association. The charge relates to an alleged scheme between Jan. 1, 2023, and the end of April 2024, in which the association is said to have been deprived of over $66,000. Both men were removed from their roles at the association on April 29, 2024, a termination the Crown refers to in outlining the timeline of events.
Defence representation and witness requests
Bredo is representing himself in the preliminary inquiry and has sought specific protections and witness access, including the publication ban and requests to cross-examine at least one additional witness. Mizera is represented by defence counsel Leanndria Halcro, who has not indicated a need for extra witnesses beyond those the Crown has listed. The differing tactical approaches by the two accused could affect how evidence is presented and tested over the coming days.
Civil lawsuit against police and state actors
Months before criminal charges were laid, Bredo and Mizera filed a 33-page statement of claim in Calgary Court of King’s Bench that sought at least $3.5 million in damages. The suit names a range of defendants described as “state actors and law enforcement defendants,” including members of the Calgary Police Service. That civil claim alleges misconduct and wrongful conduct by certain officials and has not been adjudicated in court.
Allegations involving a detective and association leadership
The statement of claim asserts that a Calgary police detective misused his position by disseminating information about Bredo’s past to influence the association’s decision-making. The claim identifies Det. Sheldon Graham and references the long-standing role of Graham’s late father, Harold, who served as president of the Bowness association for more than four decades. The civil action alleges that any disclosure by the detective was intended to prejudice the accused and facilitate their termination, a contention that remains unproven in court.
Prior criminal history referenced in civil claim
The civil filing refers to a prior manslaughter conviction involving Bredo in connection with a 2011 killing in British Columbia. The plaintiffs say that prior record was improperly disclosed to members of the association. Criminal history and past convictions can be relevant to certain legal and employment disputes, but courts apply strict rules about what evidence may be used in separate proceedings such as this preliminary inquiry.
Possible outcomes and next procedural steps
If the preliminary inquiry judge finds the Crown has established sufficient evidence, the case could proceed to a jury trial where the accused will face full criminal proceedings. If the inquiry concludes there is insufficient evidence, the charges may be dismissed. Norman’s indication that up to five witnesses may be called suggests the Crown will seek to establish a factual foundation strong enough to move forward.
Both accused remain free on their own recognizance as the legal process moves forward, and the civil lawsuit against police and other defendants continues in parallel. The coexistence of criminal and civil actions means Calgary courts could see related litigation unfold on multiple tracks in the months ahead.
Community members and local stakeholders have watched the case closely given the central role of the Bowness Ratepayers Scout and Guide Association in neighbourhood activities. The preliminary inquiry will provide a more detailed public record of the allegations and the evidence the Crown intends to rely on if a trial is authorized.
The court will reconvene as scheduled for the remainder of the inquiry and is expected to hear testimony over the three-day window set by the judge, after which Justice Fahlman will rule on whether the matters should proceed to trial.
