Crocus Investment Fund said Friday that Laurie Goldberg, chief operating officer and president of Crocus Capital Inc. has resigned from the fund. Goldberg joined Crocus in January 2004. The fund also announced the appointment of Delmore Crewson as special advisor.

The Winnipeg-based, labour-sponsored fund suspended sales and redemptions of its shares on Dec. 10, pending a review of the value of its portfolio.

The portfolio valuation review is expected to be complete at the end of January.

Crewson, who retired in August 2004 from Deloitte & Touche LLP where he served as a senior partner and Canadian vice chair, will assume immediate responsibility for leading Crocus in the completion of its voluntary valuation and organizational reviews, in cooperation with the Manitoba Securities Commission and the Office of the Auditor General.

On his departure, Goldberg said, “While my service with Crocus was relatively short, I feel satisfied to be part of the Fund’s recent proactive initiatives which will help ensure fair treatment to all shareholders and improve corporate governance.”

Meanwhile, an independent expert has been found to help with the provincial auditor’s review of the fund.

The auditor will look into Crocus investments that involve public-sector Manitoba entities. He will also monitor the progress and results of the review Crocus is already undertaking.

Crocus officials have said they will co-operate fully with the auditor’s investigation.

More than 34,000 Manitobans have invested about $190 million in the fund in the past decade. Since 1992, the provincial and federal governments have paid out more than $37 million in tax credits to Crocus investors.