Sentencing delayed in fraud case
By Shurtz, Delon on June 17, 2020.
Delon Shurtz
lethbridge herald
A woman who earlier this month admitted she defrauded the County of Lethbridge of nearly $50,000 over three years, will have to wait a little longer before she learns when she’ll be sentenced.
A date to sentence 41-year-old Brandi Leanne Doucette was expected to be scheduled Monday during a hearing in Lethbridge provincial court. Crown and defence, however, agreed to adjourn the matter until June 29, when they will confirm a date at a later time when they and the judge can meet for sentencing.
Doucette pleaded guilty June 1 to one charge of fraud by altering documents relating to money she stole from her employer between 2016 and 2019. Doucette was charged last summer following an investigation into the theft of about $49,000 from the County office.
Originally charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000 and altering documents, Doucette had previously elected to be tried by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge. However, Lethbridge lawyer Greg White changed her election to trial by provincial court judge and offered the single guilty plea.
The charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime will likely be withdrawn when the woman is sentenced later this summer.
The Crown and defence are expected to provide the judge with an agreed statement of facts and a joint submission for a conditional sentence, which, if accepted by the judge, will allow Doucette to serve her sentence in the community, likely under house arrest
During sentencing, three victim impact statements from individuals will also be presented to the court. One of the victims has asked to attend court so she can personally read her statement.
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