Theft & Fraud Offences

M.M. was the treasurer for a local non-profit club and had full autonomy over the club’s finances. After several vendors complained that they were not being paid, the president of the club asked M.M. why the bills were not being paid. At that point, M.M. confessed that she had taken over $40,000 from the club and resigned. Police conducted a brief investigation but failed to try to make any meaningful steps to arrest M.M. for eight years.

Between the time of the offence and arrest, M.M. had taken incredible rehabilitative steps to overcome her serious gambling addiction that was the reason the funds were stolen. Despite having a strong argument for a stay of charges based on the police failing to execute the warrant for eight years, M.M. took full responsibility for her offence and pled guilty. The Alberta Court of Appeal has made it very clear that but for exceptional circumstances, those who commit these sorts of offences in relation to their position of trust should be sentenced to jail. The Crown Prosecutor was seeking a period of one year jail and restitution. Cory successfully argued that the appropriate sentence was one served in the community. M.M. was sentence to a Conditional Sentence Order, otherwise known as house arrest, with exceptions for such things as work, community service, grocery shopping and to attend church.

This was the best outcome for M.M. after having pled guilty as she avoided a lengthy jail sentence that would have no doubt destroyed her life.

After being observed changing price tags on fishing accessories at a Canadian Tire, S.Z. was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000. He had no previous criminal record and was incredibly scared that a conviction would cause issues with his citizenship application.

After reviewing the disclosure, Cory met with the Crown Prosecutor and negotiated to have S.Z. enter the Alternative Measures Program. After he successfully completed the program, the criminal charge was withdrawn.

This was the best outcome for S.Z. as he was left with no criminal record. Importantly, this incident didn’t affect his citizenship application.

A.T. was charged with 37 counts of theft and various breach and failure to appear in court charges. The charges spanned a period of several months and the thefts were all of low dollar amounts. During the period of time when the charges occurred, A.T. was addicted to opioids and primarily living on the street. He was stealing items simply to purchase drugs to fuel his addiction. The Crown Prosecutor’s initial sentencing position was jail. Cory met with the prosecutor and provided documentation of the significant steps A.T. took including residential treatment. After lengthy resolution discussions, the Crown agreed to withdrawn the majority of the charges and enter into a joint submission for a suspended sentence and period of probation in which A.T. was to continue his ongoing treatment.

This was an incredible outcome for A.T. who was able to avoid jail time.

Our client was charged with theft as a result that occurred in her workplace. While on break, she noticed an open purse that was left unattended. J.Y. went through the purse and stole money from the wallet. After the owner of the purse noticed money was missing, management viewed CCTV footage and observed our client stealing the money. Police were called and our client confessed to stealing the money.

At first, the prosecutor was seeking a criminal record as this was an employee theft. However, Cory Wilson was able to convince the prosecutor that the theft was a matter of impulse and had the matter diverted into Alternative Measures. As a result, J.Y. had her charge withdrawn and was left with no criminal record. This was the best possible outcome.

S.P. was charged with shoplifting after removing shaving blades from the secure rack and placing them in her pocket. After paying for lessor priced items, she attempted to walk out the doors of the grocery store. When she arrived in the parking lot, she was stopped by a loss prevention officer and subsequently admitted to stealing the blades when police arrived.

After meeting with a prosecutor, Cory Wilson was able to have the theft charge withdrawn after our client made a small charitable donation and wrote a letter of apology. As a result of this great resolution, S.P. was left with no criminal record.

L.D. was charged with shoplifting and assault as a result of an incident that occurred when she attempted to steal make-up from Shoppers Drug Mart. When the loss prevention officer tried to stop her from leaving the store, she assaulted him in her attempt to escape. As a result of resolution discussions with the Crown Prosecutor, Cory Wilson was able to have his client’s charges diverted into the Alternative Measures Program. After making a charitable donation, the two criminal charges were withdrawn which was the best possible outcome for the client.

G.P. was charged with theft under $5,000 as a result of a “grab and dash” from Home Depot. After selecting a power drill, G.P. ran out the door to a waiting vehicle. There was heavy traffic in the parking lot and a loss prevention officer was able to stop the vehicle and detain G.P. while awaiting police.

Cory Wilson was able to get the charges withdrawn after G.P. made a small charitable donation. As a result, G.P. was left with no criminal record. This was the best outcome for G.P.

A.A. was observed at Superstore placing electronics on the bottom of her cart and then proceeding to fill the cart with groceries. After paying for the groceries, A.A. failed to pay for the electronics, worth several thousand dollars, and walked out of the store. Superstore security caught her loading the electronics in her car and confronted her. Upon confrontation, A.A. left her trunk open and ran away. Police attended her house and placed her under arrest.

After resolution discussions with the prosecutor, Cory Wilson was able to have the charges withdrawn by entering A.A. into the Alternative Measures Program. After making a charitable donation, the charges were withdrawn and A.A. was left with no criminal record.

The client was observed swapping price tags on merchandise at a Sunglass Hut. After trying to pay based on the lower price, she was stopped and subsequently arrested by police. K.T. was a university student and was scared that a criminal conviction was going to ruin her life.

Cory Wilson was able to have the charges withdrawn after K.T. did 10 hours of community service. As a result of this positive outcome, K.T. continued with her studies and didn’t have to worry about a criminal record affecting her life. This was the best possible outcome for K.T.

C.T. was accused of stealing cosmetics from a grocery store by concealing them under her jacket. She paid for some items and then walked out of the store without paying for the cosmetics under her jacket. She was arrested by store security and police were called.

Cory Wilson was able to have the criminal charges withdrawn by having C.T. enter the Alternative Measures Program in which she made a charitable donation.

As a result of this resolution, C.T. was left with no criminal record for this incident.