Fugitive Calgary fraudster arrested in the U.S., returned to Canada

A Calgary fraudster who was on the lam after fleeing the country last year to avoid being sent to jailwas arrested in the United Stateslast week and is now back in Canada, CBC News has learned.

Ron Aitkens, 70, was convicted of two offences under the Alberta Securities Act in July 2020. Canada-wide warrants were issued for his arrest after he failed to show up in court for sentencing.

The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) confirmsAitkens was arrested in the Montanaon Thursday and is now in British Columbia where he made a court appearancelast Thursday.

The ASC says Aitkenswill be brought to Calgary in the next few of daysso that he can appear in court in Calgary on Thursday.

"The ASC was determined to ensure he did not escape the consequences of his actions," said Cynthia Campbell, director of enforcement at the commission. "I commend the efforts of our staff, our partner agencies and the public in bringing this fugitive to justice."

• Calgary fraudster a fugitive after fleeing to U.S., Crown tells judge

On Nov. 6, the day he was to be sentenced, Aitkens crossed border into Montana,Prosecutor Yasifina Somji told the judge at the time.

Canadian, U.S. agencies worked together

Aitkens was facing up to five years in prison, although his lawyer had proposed a two-year conditional sentence. If the judge agreed to that, the offender would be able to serve his time at home.

When the fraudster failed to show up at court, defence lawyer Brian Beresh asked to be removed as counsel of record.

Investigators with the ASC worked with law enforcement agencies in Canada and the U.S. to secure Aitkens' return to Alberta.

Among those agencies werethe RCMP, U.S.Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, theU.S. Department of Homeland Security, B.C. Sheriffs, the CBSA, Canada's Department of Justice and Crime Stoppers.

The securities commissionsays it also "gratefully acknowledges" members of the public who came forward with tips about Aitkens' whereabouts while he was at large.

Decade-long process

Aitkens was first charged in September 2013.

A failed Charter application, the accused'shealth issues and changes in counsel led to the decade-long delay in the case making its way through the courts.

Aitkens distributed and sold securities in a real estate investment company called Legacy Communities.

He raised more than $35 million from about 1,400 investors, some of whom spent their retirement savings, Justice Lloyd Robertson found in his conviction decision.

The Legacy project involved a parcel of real estate on Calgary's western boundary totalling about 503 acres (203 hectares). Investors were told that land would be purchased and developed for the project.

But Aitkens diverted more than $10 million of investors' money to private companies he owned.