New court documents reveal that the RCMP is examining possible fraud, breach of trust and money laundering involving Alberta health-care procurement contracts.

The RCMP is investigating allegations of financial misconduct involving contracts awarded through Alberta’s health-care system, according to documents filed in an ongoing wrongful dismissal lawsuit. The investigation is examining potential fraud, breach of trust and money laundering connected to procurement activities at Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS). The details emerged in legal proceedings involving former AHS chief executive Athana Mentzelopoulos, who alleges she was dismissed after raising concerns about questionable contracts and political interference.

In an October 15th letter filed with the court, Ontario Crown prosecutor Tom Andreopoulos confirmed the scope of the federal police investigation. While the letter identifies the potential criminal offences being examined, it does not name any suspects or provide details about specific transactions. Ontario prosecutors are providing advisory assistance to the RCMP and could oversee prosecutions if criminal charges result. Andreopoulos also confirmed that investigators seized documents and other materials supplied by Mentzelopoulos following her dismissal.

The disclosure comes amid a legal dispute over confidential records connected to Mentzelopoulos’s lawsuit. Lawyers representing the former executive, Alberta Health Services and the provincial government have disagreed over the ownership and disclosure of documents potentially protected by solicitor-client privilege. Justice Michael Lema previously ruled that Mentzelopoulos could not retain or disclose certain confidential records. Her legal team subsequently submitted the prosecutor’s letter to support its position that she had legitimate reasons for preserving the materials. Andreopoulos indicated that some documents seized by police may overlap with records covered by the court’s privilege ruling.

Earlier in the investigation, RCMP officers executed multiple search warrants, including activity observed outside the Edmonton offices of MHCare Medical Corp., a medical supply company led by businessman Sam Mraiche. Both the company and Mraiche have denied wrongdoing and are not parties to Mentzelopoulos’s civil lawsuit. The former AHS executive alleges that her dismissal followed efforts to investigate preferential contracting arrangements, corruption and political interference. The Alberta government disputes those allegations, maintaining that she was removed because of performance concerns and resistance to mandated health-care reforms. Neither side’s allegations in the civil proceedings have been proven in court.

The investigation has renewed political debate over accountability in Alberta’s health-care procurement system. Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has called for a full public inquiry, arguing that an earlier government-commissioned review lacked the authority to compel testimony or obtain documents through subpoenas. That review, conducted by former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant, found no evidence of improper interference by Premier Danielle Smith, elected officials or government staff, although Wyant acknowledged limitations in its scope. Smith has defended the review and pledged cooperation with the RCMP, while Justice Minister Mickey Amery reiterated the province’s willingness to assist investigators. Police have declined to provide further information, citing the need to protect the ongoing investigation.

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Originally published on Canadian Fraud News.