Court hearing to resume in legal dispute involving Alberta separatist leader after asset freeze

A court hearing is scheduled to continue today in Calgary in a civil case involving Alberta separatist figure Jeffrey Rath, whose assets were temporarily frozen last week as part of an ongoing legal dispute.

Last week, Court of King's Bench Justice Michael Marion granted an interim injunction freezing up to $8.5 million in assets held by Rath. According to court proceedings, the order is scheduled for review as the legal case between Rath and Tallcree First Nation moves forward.

Tallcree First Nation alleges Rath, its former lawyer, misappropriated millions of dollars from a multimillion-dollar trust fund. The allegations have not been proven in court, and no findings of liability have been made.

Rath has also been a prominent spokesperson for an Alberta separatist movement over the past year. Albertans are scheduled to vote in a referendum on Oct. 19 asking whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the process toward a second, binding referendum on separation.