Durham police lay charges in alleged $700K fraud involving female hockey league
Durham police have charged a suspect in connection with an alleged fraud that saw some $700,000 transferred from the coffers of a women’s hockey league over several years.
The Financial Crimes Unit launched an investigation in December 2020 after receiving reports about “irregularities” in banking transactions for the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League (LLFHL).
Police said Friday that a “comprehensive” investigation analyzed several years of the league’s financial statements and found that more than $700,000 of league funds were transferred from the LLFHL’s bank accounts to various other accounts between early 2017 and 2020.
Investigators did not say whether the funds were directed toward any particular purpose.
“The suspect was employed as the league administrator and treasurer, whose duties included managing the finances of the league,” police said in a release.
Investigators said Friday that 56-year-old Sonya Spicer (Schram) of Whitby has been charged with fraud over $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and obtain by false pretence over $5,000.
She was released on an undertaking.
The Lower Lakes Female Hockey League had operated under the Ontario Women’s Hockey League but is no longer active, police told CP24.com. While their website remains up, there is no current content.
None of the funds have been recovered to date, police said.
Durham police told CP24.com that the investigation remains active.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.