Home 99.1 News Arrest Made After United Way Defrauded Almost $300K

Arrest Made After United Way Defrauded Almost $300K

Police have made an arrest after nearly $300,000 was allegedly “misappropriated” from the United Way of Chatham-Kent.

The Chatham-Kent Police Service has confirmed that a 48-year-old Tilbury woman was arrested on February 2 and has now been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 following an investigation.

Authorities said the thorough investigation involved the analysis of records dating from October 8, 2021, to October 20, 2022.

The accused has since been released with conditions and will appear in court on February 26 to answer the charge.

The United Way of Chatham-Kent announced back in October 2023 that it has also launched a civil lawsuit against a former employee over the misappropriation of funds.

According to court documents filed in Ontario Superior Court, the charitable organization is trying to recover $292,614.27.

The United Way added that an internal audit has taken place and steps have been taken to strengthen security protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.