Director stole from military support agency
Karen J. Goodyear, 45, of Hoyt, was running Gagetown Military Family Resource Centre when she stole from it between 2017 and 2020
A Hoyt woman admitted Wednesday that she stole from the military family support agency that she managed over the course of three years.
Karen J. Goodyear, 45 of Boyne Road, was scheduled to stand trial in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday on two charges, alleging she defrauded the Gagetown Military Family Resource Centre (GMFRC) and that she stole “various services, items and monies” from the organization, all between Jan. 1, 2017, and Jan. 31, 2020.
However, defence lawyer Robert Digdon told Judge Cameron Gunn that he and the prosecution had resolved the matter.
Consequently, Goodyear changed her plea to guilty on the theft charge.
The section of the Criminal Code of Canada under which she was charged indicates the value of what the offender stole comes to more than $5,000.
The judge scheduled Goodyear’s sentencing hearing for Sept. 27, and ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report and victim-impact statement for the court’s consideration at that time.
It’s expected the Crown will withdraw the fraud count after sentencing is complete.
The GMFRC Facebook page shows that Goodyear worked for the organization as its business manager and served as its acting executive director during the timeframe.
The resource centre’s Facebook page indicates Goodyear was presented with a 5th Canadian Division Support Group Commander’s Commendation in February 2018.
“At a time of change and uncertainty, Karen showed exemplary leadership, increased the morale and effectiveness of a diverse and skilled team within the GMFRC, enabling the continuation of exceptional service and care to military families throughout the Base Gagetown Community,” the centre said in a February 2018 post on social media touting the honour.
Goodyear is no longer employed there.
Binding precedents from the New Brunswick Court of Appeal directs lower courts to impose jail terms in cases of employee theft given the breach of trust involved, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.