A Holyrood woman has been sentenced to house arrest for stealing money from the Public Service Alliance of Canada while she was treasurer with the union.
55-year-old Lola Parsons forged and wrote cheques to herself, to the tune of just over $22,000 between 2016 and 2017.
After numerous delays, some linked to COVID, she pleaded guilty in March of this year.
In sentencing Parsons this morning, Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage accepted the joint submission of 8 months of house arrest, followed by a year of probation.
He took into account the fact that Parsons had no prior criminal record and did plead guilty, saving the courts time by avoiding a long trial by judge and jury.
The judge also noted she lost her job with Canada Revenue Agency and another job due to subsequent media coverage.
Court heard that members of the local PSAC union were deeply stressed and distraught by the incidents, having worked with and trusted Parsons prior to charges being laid.
Parsons’ lawyer issued an apology on her behalf today, noting anxiety prevented his client from doing so herself.
He described the offences as a relatively low-level, white-collar crime, but provided no explanation as to why she took the money, which she’s also been ordered to pay back.