The main force behind the public push for a new arena in Chatham is at the centre of alleged fraud.
In a social media post recently, Henry Kroeker, owner of the Southern Ontario Motor Speedway in South Buxton, accused Nathan Trudell of misrepresenting himself as an employee of the track while out seeking sponsorships for the facility.
“If your business has been approached by Nathan Trudell in regards to advertisement sponsorship of Southern Ontario Motor Speedway, you are asked to immediately contact Chatham-Kent police or myself,” the track’s social media post stated.
Trudell, in previously published reports, denied such actions, saying instead that he was seeking sponsorship for a private suite he claimed he had approval to build at the track.
Kroeker, also in previously published reports, denied Trudell had such approval.
Neither could be reached for additional comment.
Const. Renee Cowell of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, confirmed a fraud complaint was made to the service May 27, and that the incident remains under investigation.
Trudell is the man behind the Build the Complex CK group, which wants to see the municipality build a new 4,000-seat arena as part of a new recreation complex in Chatham.
On May 27, municipal council voted to proceed with the exploratory and planning stages, but will not go ahead with construction unless senior levels of government provide significant funding for the facility.
