A conditional sentence, including house arrest, has been handed down for a former employee of the United Way of Chatham-Kent after her guilty plea to defrauding the agency in October.
Veronica Whittal, 49, of Tilbury, made a court appearance in Chatham on Wednesday for a sentencing hearing where her defence lawyer Ken Marley and Assistant Crown Julie Ghag made their joint submission.
Whittal defrauded the CK United Way of $302,341 by e-transferring funds between October 8, 2021 and October 20, 2022.
The court was previously told that the defendant created e-mail addresses similar to various vendors associated with United Way Chatham-Kent, e-transferred several false payments, and deposited them into her own bank account.
She was arrested and charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 in February 2024.
Wednesday morning, the joint submission from Marley and Ghag recommended a conditional sentence of between 18 months and two years less a day, to repay the stolen money over time, and community service to pay her debt to society. However, Wednesday afternoon after deliberating, the judge ruled Whittal will serve 23 months house arrest, wear a GPS monitor, and provide a DNA sample.
The judge also ruled Whittal must make restitution over time, report to her supervisor regularly, notify the court of a change in address, and stay away from casinos; liquor; drugs; and the United Way office in Chatham. She is also not to have contact with current United Way staff.
Whittal can only leave her dwelling to obtain the necessities of life on Mondays between noon and 4 p.m. She must also go directly to medical appointments, work, and counselling.
The judge said factors to her decision include the fact that Whittal sought rehab, avoided a trial, and showed remorse. However, the judge said Whittal committed a very serious offence involving a very significant amount of money.
"Her actions not only had an impact on the charitable organization, but also those that the organization serves, who are the most vulnerable and disenfranchised persons in our community," said Justice Marnie Vickerd.
Earlier in the day, Marley told the court that his client showed genuine remorse and showed initiative by entering counselling, adding she continues counselling for a gambling addiction.
Whittal has no previous criminal record.
Ghag told the court what Whittal did was a "substantial breach of trust", adding she caused severe damage to the United Way, not only financially, but to its reputation. The court later heard the impact to the United Way of CK was a few million dollars.
Whittal held various positions at the agency, including Coordinator of Finance and Administration.
Ghag noted the crime had a severe impact on the community and cost the United Way great expense to perform an audit when the fraud came to light.
Ghag didn't hold back saying the fraud was "demoralizing" and "traumatic" for the agency.
A highly distraught Whittal addressed the court apologizing profusely.
"I didn't do it on purpose. I have issues I'm working on," said a tearful Whittal. "I am really sorry for what I have done. If I could take it back, I would. I feel terrible."
The United Way of Chatham-Kent merged with the United Way of Windsor-Essex in July.
There was no victim impact statement, but the court heard some clarification from former United Way CK Interim CEO Maureen Geddes before the sentencing Wednesday afternoon. Geddes said Whittal denied responsibility for the fraud at first and blamed someone else. Geddes noted Whittal took responsibility later and a lawsuit was withdrawn after the criminal charges were laid.