A former treasurer of the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association significantly depleted the organization’s finances. Cory Johnathon Smith, aged 37, unlawfully transferred funds totaling almost $45,000 over a period of seven months last year. Currently, he faced sentencing in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, located approximately 180 kilometers east of Regina.

During court proceedings, Crown prosecutor Fred Fisher revealed that upon discovering the organization’s near-zero balance, board members feared the cancellation of the hockey season in Esterhazy. Subsequently, they requested temporary suspension of ice fees from the town and initiated fundraising efforts to mitigate the financial damage. The association expressed in their victim impact statement that the incident disrupted their operations, strained community resources, and jeopardized programs for young athletes.

Glen Simon, the association’s former president, uncovered the theft when businesses contacted him regarding outstanding bills. Upon investigation, it was found that the financial reports provided by Smith during board meetings were inaccurate as the funds had been depleted. Smith admitted to the theft, repaid $20,000 initially, and had the remaining $24,798 held in his lawyer’s trust account for repayment.

Smith was relieved of his duties as the association’s treasurer. The prosecution highlighted that the association had previously allowed e-transfers with only one authorization, leading to the policy revision to require dual authorization for all transactions.

In court, Fisher argued for a one-year conditional sentence order for Smith, whereas defense lawyer Raman Sharma advocated for a two-year conditional discharge to prevent a criminal record if Smith complies with probation conditions. Sharma attributed Smith’s actions to personal struggles during a difficult separation, affecting his mental health and decision-making.

Despite the defense’s plea, the judge imposed a 12-month conditional sentence order on Smith, entailing a criminal record and potential jail time for breaching conditions. The terms include a curfew, abstaining from substances, undergoing mental health programs, repaying the stolen amount, and issuing a written apology to the Esterhazy Minor Hockey Association.