- A convicted fraud artist now in witness protection won’t be going to prison for his crime.
- Instead, the 26-year-old former H & R Block manager will be allowed to serve a two-year conditional sentence in the community.
- The man has co-operated with police on an unrelated criminal matter and is now living at an undisclosed location outside Manitoba.
- Justice Karen Simonsen said she accepted evidence that the man’s life would be in jeopardy if he was sentenced to real prison time.
- “Given (his) involvement in the witness protection program, it is apparent that he has provided information to the police to assist in either the apprehension or prosecution of others, and in so doing has put himself at considerable risk,” she said.
- Winnipeg police arrested the man in April 2006 after he fraudulently processed inflated tax returns worth $15,000. The money was withdrawn from bank machines using company issued debit cards.
- The man pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000.
He served a prison sentence for a string of break and enters prior to being hired by H & R Block. Court heard he was initially hired as a receptionist and then promoted to manager when the previous manager was fired.
At a sentencing hearing Monday, prosecutor Lisa Cupples said had the matter gone to trial the Crown would have had a difficult time proving the man had “exclusive opportunity” to commit the fraud.
“It’s an extremely circumstantial case that would have taken a lot of trial time to prove,” she said.
An investigation could not determine who withdrew the money or who spent it, Cupples said.
I think this sentence is the right decision considering that his life might be in danger if sent to prison, because he is in the witness protection program on another unrelated matter. I dont think prison is necessary because he is not dangerous or violent or a risk to the safety of the public.
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