THUNDER BAY – The former chair of the Christmas Cheer Fund has pleaded guilty to fraud.
Linda Gambee on Monday pleaded guilty to the charge of fraud over $5,000 in a Thunder Bay courtroom. She faced that charge after being accused of defrauding the Christmas Cheer Fund of nearly $22,000.
Ontario Court Justice Frank Valente handed Gambee a 12-month conditional sentence to be followed by 12 months of probation, accepting a joint submission from Crown attorney Andrew Sadler and defence lawyer Gil Labine.
The court heard Gambee defrauded the organization of $22,642.83 through 45 transactions between July 1, 2012 and Nov. 20, 2012.
"This indicates it was an offence that was thought out, I won’t say well thought out, and occurred over a prolonged period of time," Valente said while delivering the sentence.
"There was a level of sophistication."
Labine told the court Gambee had come up with the full amount of restitution to the Christmas Cheer Fund, which the organization would receive immediately as compensation.
He also said Gambee had not been taking medication for a mental health disorder during the time of the offence. During that time period she was the sole person responsible for handling the charitable funds.
"Ms. Gambee was in a position of trust and abused that trust," Sadler said while making his submission, adding the offence should constitute a prison sentence but noted mitigating circumstances such as mental health, compensation and it being her first offence merited the joint submission.
Gambee briefly addressed the court prior to the sentencing and appeared remorseful and took responsibility her actions.
“I’m very sorry,” she said. “I feel horrible for what I did.”
The Thunder Bay Police Service received a complaint in January 2014 about discrepancies with the organization’s finances and the Economic Crimes Unit launched an investigation.
Gambee, who had resigned from the position in October 2013 after a dispute with the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition board, was arrested in February.
She was also originally charged with one count of breach of trust, though that was withdrawn following the guilty plea.
The conditional sentence orders Gambee to abide by a 10:30 p.m. nightly curfew and to live at either her own residence or at her mother's home.
She must also abstain from alcohol and illicit drugs, as well as complete required treatment for a gambling addiction and any other psychological or psychiatric assessments or counselling.
