A former treasurer of the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association drained the organization’s bank accounts by nearly $45,000 through unauthorized e-transfers over a seven-month period. The incident came to light when the association discovered its funds were almost depleted, causing concern among board members who feared they might have to cancel the hockey season. To address the financial setback, the organization had to seek community support and suspend ice fees temporarily while initiating fundraising activities.
The theft, committed by Cory Johnathon Smith, severely impacted the association’s operations, burdened volunteers, strained community resources, and jeopardized programs for young athletes. Glen Simon, the association’s president at the time, uncovered the embezzlement after receiving inquiries from businesses about unpaid bills. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Smith had misrepresented financial updates during board meetings, concealing the depletion of funds. After the discovery, Smith repaid $20,000 initially and later arranged to return the remaining $24,798 through his lawyer’s trust account.
Following the incident, Smith was relieved of his position as the association’s treasurer. Subsequently, the association revised its policies to prevent similar occurrences by mandating dual authorization for all financial transactions. During the court proceedings, the Crown prosecutor advocated for a one-year conditional sentence order for Smith, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.
In defense, Smith’s lawyer argued for a two-year conditional discharge, citing his client’s remorse and the challenging personal circumstances he was undergoing during the theft. Smith’s mental health struggles and difficulties arising from his marital separation were highlighted as contributing factors to his poor judgment. Moreover, the defense underscored the potential devastating impact of a criminal record on Smith’s employment prospects and financial obligations.
Ultimately, Judge Ross Green sided with the Crown’s position and imposed a 12-month conditional sentence order on Smith. The conditions of the sentence include adherence to a curfew, abstinence from alcohol and drugs, participation in mental health programs, complete repayment of the stolen funds, and a written apology to the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association.
