A 27-year-old woman who defrauded her employer of more than $90,000 was given a two-year prison sentence in provincial court Monday. Caroline Ranson pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 last June.
A 27-year-old woman who defrauded her employer of more than $90,000 was given a two-year prison sentence in provincial court Monday.
Caroline Ranson pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 last June.
Landrex Developers employed her as a housing assistant from May 2008 to August 2011.
A forensic audit completed by Landrex in November 2012, revealed Ranson had fabricated and duplicated invoicing, making cheques payable to herself.
Ranson began a “series of inappropriate actions” with one of her supervisors when she was an employee of Landrex in her in her early 20s, explained defence counsel Brad Leebody.
Her boss, as an offer of “hush money,” gave her the opportunity to double bill invoices.
“However, that does not excuse her actions,” said Leebody. “She does not justify her actions in any way. She was aware that what she was doing was wrong.”
Ranson is of low-risk to re-offend, stated a risk assessment ordered by the court after her guilty plea.
In the assessment, she admitted to using the money for her own financial gain.
“I had a better lifestyle – dinner, clothing, visiting family in Spruce Grove. The money made life easier.”
“The public has to know that a person can't take $92,000 and not expect to be incarcerated for it,” said Crown prosecutor John Donahoe.
The 27-year-old was sentenced to two years in prison and is also ordered to pay $92,222 in restitution to Landrex, which includes the cost of the forensic audit.
Ranson told the court she would do everything in her power to reimburse the company.
Landrex Developers could not be reached for comment.
