By Angela Brown

Canada Post fraudster to serve 28 months

Jan 8, 2018 | 12:06 PM

A North Battleford woman who defrauded Canada Post of close to $326,000 was sentenced to two years and four months in custody at Provincial Court in North Battleford, Monday.

Judge David Kaiser accepted a joint submission recommended by Crown prosecutor Mitch Piché and Defence lawyer Ivan Frank in the case involving Susan Boyer.

Boyer, who was charged with intent to defraud Canada Post of cash money exceeding $5,000 by concealing funds obtained by Canada Post, between Jan. 2011 and Nov. 2015, in North Battleford, previously pleaded guilty.

“I apologize to my family and friends and my employer Canada Post,” said Boyer when she addressed the court,” her voice breaking as she attempted to hold back her tears. “I have let them down and I am deeply sorry and ashamed… I will not let this define me. I hope to become a better person.” 

When the court adjourned briefly while the judge left to make his decision, Boyer personally apologized to each of the Canada Post employees present in the courtroom.

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The statement of facts indicated the former Canada Post employee defrauded Canada Post of $325,597 while working at the North Battleford Post Office.

In the submission on sentencing, Boyer, who was involved in handling financial matters at the Post Office, was described to have used an elaborate scheme to conceal the frauds in 28 separate transactions using two different methods.

Piché said the sentence recommended was suitable for this type of case.

The Crown prosecutor said the mitigating factors in the case were that Boyer entered an early guilty plea and had paid $130,000 to the court’s trust account on Monday. She will be paying the remaining amount through her assets, to meet a court restitution order imposed.

The accused also expressed remorse and has no criminal record.  

“She legitimately appears to feel embarrassed for the harm she has done to others,” said Piché following court. “She also indicated it had an adverse affect on her mental health.”  

Among the aggravating factors, was the amount of the fraud which was significant, and completed over a five-year period.

Boyer also abused her position of trust to her employer – Canada Post Corporation, as well as the people she worked for.

“They had to trust her and to be honest in her position,” said Piché. “We can’t monitor everybody… so we have to trust the people we hire – to be honest and to do their job.”

He also pointed out the degree of planning involved in the fraud committed as another aggravating factor. 

Defence lawyer Frank recommended Boyer serve her sentence in the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge – a Correctional Service Canada healing lodge for women offenders, located near Moose Jaw. 

The judge deferred the decision about where the accused will serve her sentence to Correctional Services Canada.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow