A former treasurer of the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association significantly depleted the organization’s finances. Cory Johnathon Smith, aged 37, conducted numerous e-transfers, resulting in the theft of approximately $45,000 over a seven-month duration last year. Smith appeared in court in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, situated around 180 kilometers east of Regina, for his sentencing.
During the court proceedings, Crown prosecutor Fred Fisher revealed that upon discovering the organization’s near-zero bank balance, board members feared they might have to cancel the hockey season in Esterhazy. To mitigate the financial crisis, they implored the town to temporarily waive ice fees and initiated fundraising campaigns.
The association expressed in its victim impact statement that the theft significantly disrupted their operations, imposed heavy burdens on volunteers, strained community resources, eroded trust, and jeopardized programs for young athletes they are dedicated to supporting.
Glen Simon, the association’s president at the time, uncovered the theft when businesses began inquiring about outstanding payments. Subsequently, he contacted the bank and obtained copies of the organization’s financial records, revealing the discrepancy in the funds supplied by Smith during board meetings.
Upon confrontation, Smith pledged to repay the stolen amount. Initially returning $20,000, Smith reimbursed the remaining $24,798 on Tuesday, which was held in his lawyer’s trust account. Smith was subsequently relieved of his duties as the hockey association’s treasurer.
Fisher highlighted that, like many non-profit organizations, the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association had a policy requiring two signatories for cheques. However, e-transfers could be executed by a single individual. As a preventive measure, the organization revised its policies to disallow such transactions moving forward.
The defense argued for a two-year conditional discharge for Smith, emphasizing his remorse, acceptance of responsibility, and the challenging personal circumstances he was enduring during the time of the theft. Smith’s lawyer contended that a criminal record would jeopardize his employment as a plumber, affecting his ability to meet financial obligations, including child support payments.
Despite the defense’s plea, Judge Ross Green sided with the Crown’s opposition to a conditional discharge. Smith was sentenced to a 12-month conditional sentence order, mandating a criminal record. The conditions include a curfew, abstaining from substances, undergoing mental health programs, full repayment of the stolen amount, and issuing a written apology to the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association.