Man increased salary to cheat Winnipeg hotel out of $130K

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Christopher Banks, a former controller and accounts manager at a Winnipeg hotel, scammed his former employer out of $134,000.

The former Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg South employee has pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000.

The fraud spanned a five-year period and was motivated by a gambling addiction, according to Banks’ defence lawyer.

Since his arrest, Banks has joined Gamblers Anonymous, undergone addictions counselling, and repaid more than $40,000, the court heard.

Banks used his position as controller to increase his salary by $20,000 a year and wrote cheques to himself, effectively doubling his income. He added fictitious employees to the payroll, then deposited their paycheques into his own account.

Banks also used a company credit card to pay personal bills, speeding tickets and website subscriptions.

The accused is set to be sentenced at a later date.

Read more at CBC News

This article is summarized by Canadian Fraud News Inc.