Darlene Wheeler fraud case delayed as Crown changes offer

The case of a woman charged with defrauding apartment hunters in Gander last year has been pushed backafter the Crown changed an offer that would likely have resulted in a guilty plea.

Darlene Wheeler is facing six counts of fraud under $5,000.

The case against Wheeler was set to be heard at provincial court in St. John's Thursday morning for "speedy disposition."

That almost always means a guilty plea.

But that didn't happen.

Wheeler's lawyer, Nick Westera, instead informed the court that the Crown had made an offer, but later changed it, "much to Ms. Wheeler's dismay."

'Somewhat at square one'

Westera did not provide details, but said, "We are somewhat at square one on this."

The Crown did not say what led to its offer being changed.

The matter has been set over until July.

After that, it could be transferred back to central Newfoundland.

As CBC Investigates reported last fall, Wheeler left behind a trail of unhappy tenants and apartment hunters in Gander.

• Apartment hunters targeted by Gander rental scam

Wheeler was accused of taking cash to secure a place to rent spaces that were already rented, in a house she didn't own.

Appearance on other charges

Thursday's proceedings in St. John's were not Wheeler's only date with the courts this week.

On Wednesday, Wheeler and her husband Clarence hadcases called in Grand Falls-Windsor.

The unrelatedproceedingsrelateto three other charges dating back to 2010 and 2012 passing bad cheques totalling more than $1,000, and fraudulently obtaining food from a pizza shop.

Those matters were also set over to July.