PENTICTON — The Penticton Minor Hockey Association says it lost $315,000 and is pointing a finger at its former treasurer for what it describes as a “sophisticated embezzlement scheme”.
Sandy Elder was the PMHA treasurer from 2001 until July 2013, when she died of cancer.
According to a press release, after Elder died, PMHA President Bruce Judd discovered there may have been fraudulent activities.
The association hired a lawyer, a chartered accountant and a certified fraud examiner to investigate.
Their investigation allegedly found a total of $315,650 was misappropriated from the PMHA between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2013.
“It appears that Ms. Elder used altered cheques, and falsified receipts and financial records, along with cash transactions involving referee payments and concession revenues to carry out the scheme,” said PMHA lawyer Erik Lund.
Corporal Martin Trudeau said Penticton RCMP were notified of the investigation in November 2013. But since the accused had already passed away, they did not become involved because there was no one to arrest.
The association said it expects to commence legal action against Elder’s estate.
“In cases such as these, it can be very difficult for victims to locate and execute on sufficient funds or assets. It is an unfortunate reality of the legal world that you really can’t get blood from a stone,” said Lund.
Global News contacted Judd but he did not wish to comment on the matter because it was going before the courts.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
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