The Ontario Provincial Police do not anticipate laying charges after a financial crimes investigation into the Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow in 2016.
The OPP say two separate allegations were made, but after an investigation by the OPP Major Crime Unit and Anti-Rackets Branch no charges are being laid at this time.
The Pow Wow cost about $600,000 to put on, twice the original estimate. The audit could not account for some $280,000 in prizes. It also uncovered an untendered contract awarded to Moccasin Media for a video of the Pow Wow, a company owned by David Hillier, the son of Chief Louise Hillier.
Last June, the band suspended Chief Hillier and the council when the review was announced at an annual general membership meeting.
At the time, First Nation Director of Operations Allen Deleary said the process would take 60 days.
Over the weekend, a council member made a motion to remove Hillier and council member Lonnie Dodge. The motion was approved by the rest of the council.
Deleary, speaking with BlackburnNewsWindsor.com Tuesday morning, said he expected to issue a statement soon on behalf of the band. He declined to comment on the police investigation.
