Former Hamilton Conservative riding association president charged with fraud

Hamilton police have charged the former president of a federal Conservative riding association with fraud.

Investigators say they received a report of “accounting irregularities” in the Federal Conservative Electoral District Association of Hamilton Centre in March 2019.

They say the discrepancy was noted at the end of the 2015 federal election.

Police allege the former president “misappropriated” $30,000 that Elections Canada should have refunded to the Conservative Party of Canada.

Police say they arrested 67-year-old David Dawson on Thursday.

He’s charged with fraud over $5,000, theft by conversion and theft by person required to account.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2019.