John Gerich

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John Gerich was a politician in Saskatchewan, Canada, MLA for Redberry, and former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He served as Associate Minister of Economic Development in the Saskatchewan Progressive Conservative government led by Grant Devine.

Gerich was charged in April 1995 with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud over $5,000. Accused of submitting false expense claims to get cash, a computer hard drive, and a portable electronic address system worth a total of $12,264 through his MLA Communications Allowance. Also accused of conspiring with John Scraba to commit fraud and with defrauding taxpayers of $837,000.

Gerich was found guilty on February 6, 1997 on two charges of fraud. He was acquitted of the charge of conspiracy to commit fraud. All other counts were stayed by the Crown.

Gerich was sentenced in February 21, 1997 to two years less a day and ordered to pay restitution of $12,264.

Andrew Thomson, a current NDP cabinet minister, has publicized a memo that directed the Saskatewan Liquor Board to deliver complimentary hospitality supplies to Gerich's legislative offices including ice, intoxicating and non-intoxicating beverages, and cups. The NDP contend that the provision of complimentary supplies from the Liquor Board was illegal, not a legitimately authorized provision of executive hospitality. No formal charges of wrongdoing have been laid. During this time current Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall was working for Gerich.