End to tax-collector trial has North Glengarry looking at next steps

Article content

It’s not the outcome the township was expecting.

Article content

Last week, former North Glengarry tax collector Sandra Cameron was found not guilty on all charges against her, including breach of trust, mischief to computer data, fraud, false pretense, and uttering forged documents. The OPP Anti-Rackets Branch Ottawa Unit had laid the charges back in October 2019 following a two-year investigation.

North Glengarry chief administrative officer (CAO) Sarah Huskinson clarified Tuesday the total loss facing the township, which was said to be $1,045,654 during the trail, encompasses everything involved in the proceedings, such as the forensic audit fee, township payments made to balance accrued arrears on certain accounts, and more.

She also clarified a major miscommunication made throughout the trial, explaining that a guilty verdict would not be necessary for the township’s insurance company to cover up to $1 million in loss. It was previously stated this coverage would only be granted should Cameron be found criminally responsible.

In terms of next steps, Huskinson said council will be participating in a closed meeting this week, and Ontario Superior Court Judge Laurie Lacelle’s 47-page verdict will be submitted to their insurance company. She said she feels there are many elements in the verdict that will be beneficial for the township, including Lacelle saying a verdict may have been different in a civil court case.

Former North Glengarry tax collector found not guilty

Former North Glengarry tax collector trial ends, verdict in July

Former North Glengarry tax collector takes stand, questioned by defence

“It was interesting…the fact that (Lacelle) did note that… ‘the Crown did not prove to me beyond a reasonable doubt,’” said Huskinson. “(She) did not say ‘the evidence did not prove to me.’”

Article content

Civil action requires a lower burden of proof to support a verdict of liability, though it’s common practice to go through the full criminal court process before proceeding with any related civil court actions.

Huskinson said it was hard for some current and former township employees to deal with the numerous interviews with police and attorneys throughout the three weeks of trial and work leading up to it.

“It was a very long time ago… and so, over the last almost five years, the township has come so far… we have certainly grown from then,” said Huskinson. “Friday was closure, good or bad, for a lot of my employees, because a lot of them worked with Sandra. And they were all personally affected by what happened afterwards… they can feel like there’s a decision and it’s over… we have all moved on, but I think it’s that last bit of closure they were all looking for.”

In terms of ongoing litigation between the township and Johanna ‘Annie’ Levac, former treasurer for North Glengarry — who directly oversaw Cameron, Huskinson said any movement on the matter will be a waiting game.

shoneill@postmedia.com