A former treasurer of the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association significantly depleted the organization’s finances. Cory Johnathon Smith, 37, carried out numerous e-transfers and stole approximately $45,000 over seven months last year. He appeared in court for sentencing in Esterhazy, Sask., facing repercussions for his actions.
The Crown prosecutor revealed in court that upon discovering the organization’s near-zero account balance, board members feared they might have to cancel the hockey season in Esterhazy. To address the financial crisis, the town was asked to suspend ice fees temporarily, and fundraising initiatives were initiated.
The association, in its victim impact statement, highlighted the adverse effects of the theft on their operations, volunteers, community resources, trust, and youth programming. The organization’s president at the time, Glen Simon, uncovered the theft after receiving inquiries from businesses regarding unpaid bills. Upon investigation, it was found that the financial reports provided by Smith were inaccurate, as the funds had been depleted.
Smith initially repaid $20,000 and had the remaining $24,798 ready to be reimbursed through his lawyer’s trust account. He was relieved of his duties as the association’s treasurer. The association has since revised its policies to prevent similar incidents by requiring dual authorization for all financial transactions.
During sentencing arguments, the Crown prosecutor advocated for a one-year conditional sentence order, while the defense lawyer pushed for a two-year conditional discharge for Smith, emphasizing his remorse and personal struggles during the time of the theft. The judge ultimately imposed a 12-month conditional sentence order on Smith, requiring him to adhere to specific conditions, including a curfew, substance abstinence, mental health programming, full repayment, and a written apology to the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association.