The sentencing for a Thunder Bay woman convicted of defrauding a local construction company of $200,000 began Wednesday with testimony from character witnesses.
Kerry Wirkkunen was found guilty of theft over $5,000 in September. She had been charged with falsifying records to cover up a $205,000 theft over a two-year period from A.B.P. Constructors, where she worked as a bookkeeper.
Wirkkunen’s lawyer Neil McCartney is asking for an 18-24 month sentence to be served in the community for his client.
McCartney said his 39-year-old client is a first-time offender and the primary caregiver for her mother, husband and son.
Wirkkunen has also been released on bail for the past three years and has complied with it.
The court heard from Wirkkunen’s older sister Tammy Kinloch of how Wirkkunen is their mother’s primary caregiver as Kinloch lives in British Columbia with her family.
“My sister does it 100 per cent,” Kinloch said.
Kinloch described her sister as kind and devoted to her family.
Wirkkunen’s friend Mary Lynn Tassotto also testified to the accused’s character describing how they met through church and became good friends.
Tassotto said Wirkkunen was devoted to her work at the church as a Sunday School teacher and is the kind of person that is always there for her friends, family and community.
When Tassotto heard of the charges against Wirkkunen, she testified that it is “completely inconsistent with the Kerry I know.”
The court also heard a victim impact statement from A.B.P. Constructors.
The company suffered greatly from the theft. They were unable to pay many bills and without cash flow, they were unable to bid on jobs.
They also had to lay off employees and supplier relations were tarnished.
The statement included how the company’s integrity has been questioned and they have also incurred legal and accounting costs to straighten out their books.
The owners have also personally refinanced the company.
Wirkkunen was remanded until Nov. 26 when a date to continue sentencing submissions will be determined.
