Former Hamilton Centre Conservative riding president David Dawson, police say, has been arrested for fraud.

In March 2019, Hamilton police received information about "accounting irregularities" at the Federal Conservative Electoral District Association of Hamilton Centre at the end of the 2015 federal election.

Police say it's believed the former president of the association misappropriated over $30,000 that Elections Canada had refunded to the Conservatives.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, police arrested Dawson, who is from Hamilton.

The 67-year-old faces several charges, including fraud over $5,000, theft by conversion, and theft by person required to account.

He has been released on a promise to appear, and is scheduled to be in court on Monday, Nov. 18.

Police are asking anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact Detective Rob Mayea (905) 546-4521 or Detective Sergeant Greg Doerr (905) 546-3841.

People can also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers.