Dianne Coady, former parish bookkeeper, jailed for fraud

Former St. Patrick's Parish bookkeeper Dianne Coady, 69, is heading to jail for defrauding her long-time employer of more than $300,000.

Coady, who defrauded the St. John's parish over a span of about five years,offered no explanation for her frauds when she appeared in provincial court on Monday.

Judge Lois Skanes sentenced Coadyto 14 months in jail, followed by a two-year probation term.

She was also ordered to payback the $306,000 that was determined to have gone missing in an audit.

• Jail time sought for parish bookkeeper Dianne Coady

During her sentencing in St. John's provincial court, Skanes said Coady was in a position of trust at the timeand showed no remorse for what she did.

A pre-sentence report for Coadyindicates that she believes the whole incident was a misunderstanding.

Coady got most of the money making out cheques 260 in totalto herself that were supposed to go to companies or other people.

The court was toldCoady had an income of about $34,000 a year, and there was no indication of any drug, alcohol or gambling addictions.

The frauds happened between 2007 and2012.

Coady, who also worked as a cook for the Patrick Street parish, pleaded guilty in November.

The Crown had asked for a jail term of 14 to16 months. Coady's defence lawyer suggested house arrest.

Coady's criminal conduct was discovered in 2012, when the parish priest raised concerns that money might be missing.

He reported his suspicions to the archdiocese business office, triggering an external forensic audit by the firm Grant Thornton.

Archbishop responds

Following Coady's sentencing, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John's released a statement, thanking the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Crown's office.

"While we are called by Christ to forgiveness, we are mindful of the many lessons learned as we walked this road over the past months," Archbishop Martin Curriesaid in a written statement.

Curriesaid he hopes to rebuild "on a foundation of hope and trust."

"Our hearts are with other not-for-profit agencies and charitable organizations which have experienced similar trauma."