A former secretary who stole $250,000 from her employer to pay for her wedding and beauty treatments and indulge her extravagant tastes had to go to prison after failing to win a pardon from a court.
Between 2012 and 2015, Nancy McKinnon used her job as an administrative assistant to delve into the accounts of her employer, Béton Concept AM, between 2012 and 2015. With the company’s credit and debit cards, she treated herself to trips, wedding dresses and more. Rent of reception room for his wedding.
He was in charge of accounting and had given himself a raise.
Nancy McKinnon pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud. She hoped to avoid prison, but instead ended up in chambers at the court in Longueuil.
Serving a preventive sentence in the community would have allowed him to pay back victims more quickly, he argued.
responsible for his misfortune
His former employers did not see their money for seven years. The accused is actually struggling to pay them back because a third of her salary is being confiscated by the government for unpaid taxes.
Media coverage of his case cost him five jobs and a home.
“She is still suffering psychological distress […] And she is in financial trouble. The fact is that all these are direct consequences of his own criminal activities. In other words, unfortunately, he is the architect of his own misfortune,” emphasized Judge Marc-Antoine Garet.
He noted that his crimes were part of a “shameful” attempt to maintain a romantic relationship, by constantly taking care of his physical appearance and treating himself extravagantly. According to the accused, her ex-husband, who had extravagant tastes, benefited greatly from her fraudulent spending.
She displayed “opportunism” by abusing her employer’s complete trust.
to encourage
However, the consequences of this fraud were huge for his former employer. He was determined to sell the company he wanted to leave behind to his son. The tension at home saw the family fall apart and he went from manager to employee.
Of course, a sentence of community detention would have been standard, but in this case, reprimand and deterrence took precedence, the magistrate concluded.
Then he mme McKinnon was jailed for 18 months after insisting on significant fraud, duration and premeditation.
“A prison sentence is only appropriate to express society’s disapproval of madam’s behavior and to discourage such behavior in the future,” the judge said.
Nancy McKinnon also must repay nearly $250,000 over 10 years. If she fails, she will face an additional three years in prison.
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