Lorraine Wilson, 58, was a registered nurse at Saskatoon’s Parkridge Centre, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud after stealing $20,000 from her union local over the span of more than four years.
Wilson was the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses local president for Parkridge Centre, a long-term care home in Saskatoon, during the time of the theft
On Tuesday in Saskatoon provincial court, Wilson apologized for her actions, after hearing from colleagues who said the theft poisoned their work environment.
Wilson said “I just wanted to say that I realise my actions hurt a lot of people and have done a lot of harm and I’m completely sorry.”
Stacey Moore, One of Wilsons colleagues, became interested in volunteering with the union, and eventually asked Wilson for the union local’s financial documents.
When Wilson didn’t hand them to her, Moore decided to run for president of the union. Once Moore gained access to the union’s finances, she realized something was wrong and called Saskatoon police and the provincial union, which hired an auditor to take a closer look.
After this investigation, Wilson was arrested and charged by Saskatoon police in March.
Wilson also confessed that she was a gambling addict and the stolen money was used for that purpose.
In a victim impact statement, Moore said that the theft and ensuing investigation was very hard on her co-workers. She said several nurses who were investigated ended up quitting their jobs at Parkridge, or left the profession entirely.
Moore said to Wilson “I feel so betrayed by you,” and “I hope this stays with you.”
Joint submission
The Crown and defence issued a joint sentencing agreement, requesting that Wilson immediately pay back the missing $20,000 and pay a total fine and victim impact surcharge of $2,340.
Wilson is under a prohibition order to neither volunteer or work at any activity that gives her financial authority for five years. She also has a one-year probation period where she has to regularly report to a probation officer and keep the peace.
During the sentencing, Judge Monar Enweani asked the Crown prosecutor why he was not seeking a jail sentence in this case.
The Crown declared that they took into account Wilson’s age and her lack of a previous criminal record while also noted that Wilson pleaded guilty early on in the court process and saved many people from testifying.
The Crown stayed two additional charges of theft over $5,000 and using a forged document.
Wilson has 30 days to pay the victim impact surcharge of $540 and a year to pay the fine of $1,800. This article was originally sourced by CBC.
