Fraud Charges Laid Against Couple

A husband and wife are facing charges after an audit found bank deposit irregularities and shortages of cash totaling over $40,000 at a figure skating club.

The Executive of the Cannington Figure Skating Club reported to police that they experienced significant cash shortages in their bank deposit records between September 1, 1999 and May 15, 2002. The total amount of the missing funds over this period of time was in excess of $40,000.

Investigators from the DRPS Major Crime Fraud Unit conducted an investigation and charged the couple.

Cornelia HART, age 43, of Cannington, Ontario and Alan Hart, age 47, of Aurora, Ontario are charged with:

Fraud Over $5,000
Theft Over $5,000

Cornelia HART was the former Treasurer of the Cannington Figure Skating Club and was responsible for making deposits from cash sales on their behalf. Both accused were released on a Promise to Appear for court and an Undertaking with conditions.

No money has been recovered in this incident.

Businesses are urged to conduct routine audits of their accounting practices to prevent similar events from occurring.

Anyone with any further information on this incident or related incidents is asked to call Det. John Van Seters of the Major Fraud Unit at 905-579-1520 x 5321 or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 (TIPS) 8477.