RCMP lay new fraud charges in Fort McMurray evacuee investigation

Police have now charged the girlfriend of a man who told residents ofClaresholm, Alta., that they had lost everything in the FortMcMurrayfire.

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Jaime Lynn Cox, 39, ischarged with five counts of fraud under $5,000.She is scheduled to appear in Fort MacLeodprovincial court on June 1.

Darryl Rondeau, 45,has alreadypleaded guilty to the samecharge.

Earlier this month, Rondeau was accused of telling people inClaresholmthat he and his girlfriend were left destituteby theFort McMurray fire.

The town welcomed the couple with open arms, and locals pitched in to buy them clothes, give them free meals in restaurants and even put them up in an RV in the town's campsite.

Story didn't add up, say RCMP

But after a few days, policestarted to notice some elements of their story didn't add up, and Rondeau was charged with fraud under $5,000.

RCMP Cpl. Dalyn Orsten said the first red flag was that Rondeau didn't register with the Red Cross. Police say the investigation is continuing and more charges will likely be laid.

British Columbiacourt records showDarryl Lincoln Rondeau, born in 1970, was convicted in March of possession of stolen property under $5,000 in the Victoria suburb of Oak Bay. That conviction relates to a charge from January of this year.

AFacebook page for Lincoln Darryl Rondeaulists his home as Fort McMurrayand says he is from Duncan, B.C., a community north of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

CBC News attempted to contact Rondeau but did not hear back from him.

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