A fraudster who robbed the University of Montreal Hospital Center of $1.5 million over more than a decade by involving her spouse and children in her scheme now faces up to eight years in prison and must also pay back the stolen amounts.
“These are amounts that could not be allocated to the people [atteints de cancer]launched Me Sarah-Audrey Daigneault and demanded an exemplary sentence this Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse.
Sitting in the courtroom, 60-year-old Sylvie Dagenais didn't bat an eyelash as she heard the Crown's application in connection with a huge fraud that began in 2000 and lasted no less than 14 years.
Double compensation
This is because at that time the woman had the “absolute trust” of a uro-oncologist who served as head of the urology department at CHUM. This enabled her to become coordinator of a research fund and gain some management authority.
Only instead of working for the good of the organization, she took the opportunity to rob it, including by receiving double compensation. She then involved her husband Danny Édisbury, 61, and their 34 and 37-year-old children Francis and Carl, who also lined her pockets.
“In collusion, the couple created and used false documents to the detriment of the CHUM, the CHUM Research Center and the Quebec government,” said Judge Mylène Grégoire. Given the success of their strategy, they believed they were invincible. »
The fraud ended in 2014 when authorities discovered the problem during an office move.
Received refund
The defendant was found guilty and returned to court on Wednesday. And now is the time for the Crown to pay, especially Dagenais.
“Without her, the fraud could not have been committed,” said Me Daigneault, calling for an exemplary sentence of eight years in prison for the woman. And in addition to the fine, Dagenais would also have to pay back nearly $600,000 or face up to five more years in prison.
The fraudster's husband, for his part, could face a four-year prison sentence and $716,000 in repayment. For the children, the Crown is proposing two years less per day in prison and restitution totaling about $200,000.
“It wasn’t the most sophisticated fraud, but the plan was important,” the Crown recalled. It was motivated by greed, it is a blatant and shameless breach of trust. »
The hearings are scheduled to last two days. This Thursday it will be the defense's turn to announce their colors.
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