Non-profit worker facing fraud, forgery charges

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This article was published 27/02/2020 (1720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Charges of fraud and forgery linked to more than $1 million in transactions have been laid against a former employee of Shawenim Abinoojii Inc., a Winnipeg non-profit that supports Indigenous youth.

Gwendolen Joyce Reid, 46, was charged with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, the use of forged documents, unauthorized use of credit card data, falsification of documents, and two counts of forgery, Winnipeg police said Friday.

An investigation in April 2019 found fraudulent transactions dating to March 2016, including $743,110 in cheques, $222,432 in payroll transactions and $42,000 of unauthorized credit card charges and cash advances, according to city police.

Shawenim Abinoojii provides foster care, support worker services and other programs on- and off-reserve, to Indigenous children and their families across Manitoba.

The non-profit’s therapeutic foster care program works with youth in the care of Southeast Child and Family Services.

Shawenim Abinoojii and Southeast CFS were both closed Friday for Aboriginal Justice Day, and no representatives were made available to comment.

Police could not confirm how long the accused was employed at the non-profit, nor other details about her position with the organization.

A spokesperson from the province told the Free Press the Department of Families is working with Southeast CFS to prevent future incidents.

“The government is committed to protecting taxpayers’ money and we take any allegations of financial crime very seriously,” the spokesperson said.

Shawenim Abinoojii could potentially seek restitution through a civil lawsuit, if Reid is found guilty, according to Winnipeg Police Service Const. Rob Carver. However, “It is often very difficult for victims to get money back from frauds.”

Reid was released on a promise to appear in court.

— with files from Carol Sanders 

city.desk@freepress.mb.ca