A plot of land formerly owned by the Westbank First Nation has been sold for millions of dollars less than it was worth, according to a recent report.
Conducted by retired provincial judge Marion Buller, the independent investigation looked in to the sale of a 60 hectare lot in Peachland.
According to the report, the property was sold for a total of 1.5 million dollars, but was worth closer to 5 million when it was sold last March.
According to Raf De Guevara, who was responsible for the sale, the sale was based on an appraisal from 2009.
At the time, De Guevara has been working as the Nation’s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Title and Rights, but is no longer employed by the Nation.
Initially intended to be part of the Ponderosa – Pincushion Ridge development, sale of the land was authorized in 2019, after the project was cut.
Buller was unable to determine who, if anyone benefited from the sale to an unnamed company, but the Nation is promising action and a criminal investigation.
