Former Calgary art gallery CEO apologizes for $100K fraud

The former Art Gallery of Calgary CEOwho pleaded guilty to fraud became emotional today as she addressed the court during sentencing arguments.

• Former Art Gallery of Calgary CEO charged with fraud
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Valerie Cooper was charged with multiple counts of fraud in May 2012 aftergallery officials said nearly$500,000 was taken from the organization.

She admitted todefrauding her employer of $100,000 through false expense claims over a three-year period last April.

Some of the money went to pay for her condo rental, unauthorized travel and personal expenses like clothing, cleaning, and massage services.

Coopersaid she never even knew what fraud meant, andshedid not meanto hurt the galleryasshe loved working there.

The Crownis asking for two years less a day in jailbecause Cooper was in a position oftrust and authority as the head of a charitable organization.

But defence arguedfor a conditional sentence with no jail.

Cooper's lawyer Willie deWit says it's a unique case because she believed she was taking money owed to her.

But Cooper admits she went aboutgetting reimbursedthe wrong way by using falsified claims.

Judge Anne Brownhas reserved her decision untilNov. 1.