A jury is currently deliberating the fate of a Kelowna woman on trial for fraud of more than $ 1 million.
The accused, Carey Earl is accused of stealing from Access Human Resources, a community support agency that provides services and support to people with cognitive and physical disabilities. She is facing criminal charges of theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000.
Throughout the trial, the jury heard that Earl allegedly misappropriated approximately $1.3 million from Access Human Resources between 2010 and 2018, while working as the bookkeeper.
The 12-person jury began deliberations at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 25.
Earl has denied allegations of theft but did not take the stand to give testimony during the trial. However, in 2019, Earl filed a response to a Civil Suit in the Supreme Court of B.C. and denied allegations that she had misappropriated or embezzled money from Access Human Resources.
In the response, Earl claimed that that it was “commonly understood” between herself and the owner and operating director of the company Cliff Andrsuko “that company funds would be used for their personal benefit.” Also in the response, Earl stated that if she stole, misappropriated or embezzled funds, Andrsuko would have agreed to the alleged acts as he was also engaging in similar conduct and behaviour and signed off on all transactions and payments that she made.
Andrsuko, the owner of Access Human Resources took the stand as a witness in the trial.
Both charges of theft and fraud over $5,000 are considered indictable offences by the Criminal Code of Canada. The maximum penalty for fraud over $5,000, is 14 years incarceration and the maximum penalty for theft over $5,000 is 10 years in prison.
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