Appeal judge confirms ex-Lethbridge pastor’s conviction for securities fraud and prison term.

A recent legal case in Calgary and the surrounding area involved the appeal of former Lethbridge pastor Ronald James Aitkens’ conviction for securities fraud and the subsequent upholding of his prison sentence. The decision by Calgary Court of King’s Bench Justice Glen Poelman confirmed Aitkens’ four-year sentence for defrauding nearly 1,500 investors in a real estate scheme with Legacy Communities Inc. between 2005 and 2011.

Appeal lawyer Brendan Miller raised various grounds to challenge the initial verdict, claiming the admission of inadmissible evidence during Aitkens’ trial, which spanned several years. The trial commenced in April 2018, and even after Aitkens’ conviction, the defense’s attempt to present fresh evidence was unsuccessful. Aitkens was ultimately sentenced on Aug. 15, 2024, more than a decade after his original 2013 charges. Originally set for Nov. 6, 2023, his sentencing was delayed when he failed to appear in court, crossing the U.S. border. However, he was later apprehended in British Columbia and brought back for sentencing.

In the appeal ruling, Poelman detailed how Legacy had raised funds to acquire and develop a large land parcel near Calgary. Aitkens diverted approximately $10.7 million of these funds to other personal projects, which were undisclosed in the company’s offering documents. Despite Crown prosecutors arguing against the grounds for appeal, Poelman maintained that the trial judge’s decision to impose a consecutive sentence for one of Aitkens’ charges under the Alberta Securities Act was justified.

Another significant case saw Jason Tait receive a 6 ½-year prison term for assisting in covering up the murder of Keanan Crane, who was poisoned with fentanyl, dismembered, and dumped near Morley, Alberta. Justice Janice Ashcroft cited aggravating factors for the sentence, deviating from the defense’s requested four-year term or Crown’s suggested eight to 10-year period. Tait, apprehended in February 2023, had already served the equivalent of 4 ½ years prior to sentencing, which was deducted from the overall term handed down by Ashcroft.

Overall, these legal proceedings underscored the complex nature of securities fraud cases and the severe consequences of involvement in criminal activities, demonstrating the judicial system’s commitment to upholding justice and ensuring offenders are held accountable for their actions.