Bookkeeper charged after defrauding local company

We have charged a woman who is believed to have embezzled approximately $400,000 while serving as a bookkeeper for a commercial irrigation company.

Between January 2021 and May 2023, the woman worked as a bookkeeper at the commercial irrigation company where she was entrusted with access to the company’s funds. It is believed that during this time she wrote false invoices for work, deposited fraudulent cheques, used a company credit card for personal purchases and withdrew cash from corporate bank accounts.

In April 2023, the company was sold, and during the sale process, financial discrepancies came to light when key financial documents were being withheld by the woman. This raised concerns for the current owner, who then thoroughly reviewed all financial documents. Based on the financial documentation, the owner suspected the bookkeeper was engaging in fraudulent activity and notified police.

Laura HUNT, 60, of Calgary, is charged with:

· One count of fraud over $5,000
· One count of theft over $5,000
· One count of identity theft
· One count of falsification of books and documentation
· Two counts of theft or forgery of a credit card
· One count of unauthorized use of a credit card
· One count of use of a forged document

HUNT is scheduled to next appear in court on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

We encourage businesses that have suffered financial loss as a result of fraud to report it to police by calling the non-emergency line at 403-428-1234.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case # CA23225475/5341