THUNDER BAY - A man who was convicted of fraud more than 20 years ago has been handed a $500 fine for failing to comply with a restitution order made in May 2000 that required him to pay more than $5,000 back to the Thunder Bay district social services board.
Defence counsel David Pierce entered a guilty plea on behalf of his client Ronald Pumphrey on Thursday, July 16.
Pierce told the court his client was convicted of social insurance fraud at a time when his life was out of control.
He moved out of the city but before doing so, Pierce said Pumphrey failed to pay the restitution order back. He returned to the area to turn himself in to police, the lawyer said.
“Obviously it’s quite unfortunate he did not do so in a timely manner but he is before the court now to make things right,”Pierce said, adding the file had been left dormant for several years.
Crown counsel Stella Vallelunga called the timeline of the probation breach an aggravating fact.
Judge Danalyn Mackinnon handed Pumphrey a $500 fine for the failure to pay the restitution order.
“I think there has been specific deterrence because Mr. Pumphrey has realized the matter doesn’t go away,” Mackinnon said.
Pumphrey has four months to pay back the full restitution order to the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board.
