BURST
A former Anmore parent advisory council treasurer has been charged with fraud and theft .
On Friday, Coquitlam RCMP announced Ryan Kohler had been charged last month with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and theft under $5,000. According to meeting minutes posted online, Kohler served as treasurer for the Anmore Elementary School parent advisory council during the 2024-2025 school year.
Police launched an investigation last fall after learning of financial discrepancies between October 2024 and May 2025.
By the start of the 2025-2026 school year, another parent had been elected as treasurer, though Kohler continued to provide financial reports in September and October of 2025 during the handover.
The October 2025 council meeting minutes note Kohler did not have updated figures for the council’s operating account, and that there had been some challenges connecting with Vancity to arrange for two other parent volunteers to be added as signing authorities.
Kohler did not attend the following council meeting, on Nov. 25, 2025. Instead, meeting minutes indicate chairperson Jamie Tromp provided an update confirming that “a significant financial discrepancy was discovered” after full access to bank accounts was obtained.
Meeting minutes note the discovery was provided to then-principal Bryan Jackson and the Coquitlam school district, as well as the RCMP.
“An RCMP investigation has been opened and is now active,” the minutes read.
Vancity also opened its own investigation, and the school notified families about the police investigation.
In early 2026, proposed changes to the council bylaws were voted on and accepted, including the addition of a second signing authority and a requirement to print and distribute bank statements monthly to council members and executives.
At the April 2026 council meeting, parents and executives heard that an arrest had been made, though a suspect was later released.
“The culmination of the detailed Coquitlam RCMP investigation into alleged criminal actions resulted in these charges being laid,” said Cpl. John Graham.
“We understand allegations of this nature are concerning, but we have confidence in the judicial process that is now underway.”
Kohler was released on conditions and is due in Port Coquitlam court on Sept. 23.
Postmedia has reached out to the Anmore parent advisory council for comment.