One of two individuals accused in an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme linked to a Regina-based business faced scrutiny as he requested the court to assign him a publicly funded lawyer. Aggrey Kwesi Buaben Fynn appeared before Regina provincial court judge Daryl Rayner on April 22 to pursue an application for what is known as court-appointed counsel.
Background of the Case
Fynn and his wife, Stephanie Dawn Fynn, are both charged with fraud exceeding $5,000 and laundering proceeds of crime. The couple made their initial court appearance in May 2025, when they were 42 and 38 years old, respectively. They were previously listed as executives of REV Auto Group. The allegations involve a fraudulent scheme described by the Crown as a "Ponzi scheme type" operation related to Aggrey’s former dealership in the city.
Conditions for Court-Appointed Counsel
Judge Rayner explained that to qualify for court-appointed counsel, an individual must have been denied service by Legal Aid Saskatchewan and be unable to afford a private lawyer. The judge must also consider the jeopardy faced by the accused and the complexity of the case when deciding whether to approve such a request.
At the outset of the hearing, Randene Zielke, representing Court Services, indicated her initial view that Fynn should be denied a court-appointed lawyer because he had not established a lack of funds or extraordinary financial circumstances. Crown prosecutor Jaco Erasmus described the case as "very complex," involving approximately 60 witnesses and likely requiring a trial lasting multiple weeks. The total amount of fraud is alleged to be "north of $8 million," and the Crown intends to seek jail time if Aggrey is convicted.
Financial Situation of the Accused
It was noted that Stephanie is represented by private counsel. When Judge Rayner asked Aggrey if he was still with his wife, he confirmed they were together but explained that her parents were paying for her lawyer and were not willing to provide him with the same assistance. His own parents could not afford to pay for a lawyer, he said.
The accused read a prepared statement detailing his financial situation. He stated that his current income comes from employment insurance, though he is actively seeking work. However, prospective employers have declined to hire him due to the outstanding charges. He noted that the couple has three dependent children and that their monthly household expenses exceed their income by thousands of dollars.
Addressing a concern raised by Court Services regarding the omission of his home as an asset, Fynn clarified that the property carries debt exceeding its value. "There’s no assessable equity in the house. I cannot sell, refinance or borrow against the property. The equity is in the negative," he told the judge.
The court will hear final submissions on the application in late April, with Fynn required to submit additional documentation to Court Services beforehand.
