Trial begins for former Foster Parent of the Year accused of sex abuse

CALGARY- A trial for a former foster parent accused of sexually abusing children in his care, has heard how he would pay children to perform sexual acts.

53-year-old Garry Prokopishin is standing trial in Calgary on three counts of having sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority.

It’s alleged most of the assaults took place at Prokopishin’s Beddington home between 2001 and 2008 and involved teenaged boys considered ‘at risk’.

On Monday, a 26-year-old man took the stand and testified he was 14 when he was paid $20 to perform oral sex on Prokophishin. He used the cash to buy drugs.

Prokopishin was once named Foster Parent of the Year.