Yves Sévigny, former general manager of Atelier RADO, charged with fraud

Aug 21, 2024

Yves Sévigny, the former general manager of Atelier RADO, appeared before a Provincial Court judge in Edmundston this morning to face a charge of fraud of over $5,000 from the organization that helps people in need. The charge follows an investigation by the Edmundston Police Force after the organization's Board of Directors found financial irregularities in its operations.

Yves Sévigny was due to appear in court yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 20) to face this charge, but failed to show up. An unsolicited arrest warrant was then issued for him. Under this type of warrant, the policer officers who apprehend him must bring him directly before the judge to explain the reasons for his absence. However, the 58-year-old finally turned himself in to Police Force late yesterday.

Following his appearance this morning, he was released by the Provincial Court judge and will be required to enter a plea in September. The acts of which he is accused occurred between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, while he was General Manager of Atelier RADO.

The organization is a community hub with a community kitchen, food bank, thrift store and regional distribution centre for food banks in northwestern New Brunswick. The organization serves some 1,000 people for meals and food, and over 4,000 customers at the thrift store.

It was during the year-end financial exercises that Board members identified irregularities, including debts with several suppliers; partners who had not been paid after granting cash advances to the organization; and lines of credit and credit cards that had been maxed out.

Yves Sévigny will be back in court on September 24, 2024, to enter his plea. As this case is before the court, the Police Force will not be commenting on the investigation.

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CONTACT: Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100