Legal Aid is in resolution talks with the Crown prosecutor for a man facing 33 theft and fraud-related charges. 

Ryan Buckton appeared via video in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Wednesday with Moose Jaw Legal Aid lawyer Zack Anderson representing him. 

Anderson said Legal Aid is still looking for a new lawyer for Buckton because of a conflict with their office but he did have resolution discussions with Crown prosecutor Rob Parker. Anderson asked for an adjournment as the search for a lawyer continues and to update Buckton on the resolution talks. 

For full disclosure, Parker told the court that Buckton has also reached out to him personally and they had a brief conversation but didn’t get into details of the resolution talks. Buckton was previously told that Parker cannot ethically speak directly to Buckton when he is seeking legal counsel. 

Buckton told the court he had been in contact with Legal Aid about the resolution discussion, however, he reached out to the Crown because there were items Legal Aid couldn’t speak to. 

Buckton is facing 33 charges including fraud, theft under $5,000, mischief, breach of conditions, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, tampering with a vehicle identification number, possession of counterfeit money, using counterfeit money, trafficking property obtained by crime, forgery, using forged documents, weapons trafficking and possession of firearms at an unauthorized place.   

The case was adjourned to July 3 to find Buckton legal counsel and continue resolution discussions.