By Daryl Slade, Calgary Herald, May 14, 2008

The former controller of a Calgary auto dealership has admitted she embezzled more than a half million dollars from her employers through false GST credits to feed a gambling habit.

Lindsay Elizabeth Alexander, 54, wrote 107 cheques to either herself or MasterCard during the first half of 2004, defrauding Centaur Import Motors of $512,000 including penalties and interest paid by the owners to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Alexander also defrauded the law firm Park Wenngatz, where she had previously worked for nearly 14 years as a bookkeeper. She wrote $22,136 in cheques to herself on a dormant trust account after the firm closed its doors in January, 2000.

Dr. Cynthia Baxter, A forensic psychiatrist, testified that Alexander told her she been gambling for many years, but it became “problematic” six years ago when she was unemployed and financial difficulties arose.

She also suffered from depression and had once been hospitalized for it, said Baxter.

According to the agreed statements of facts entered as exhibits, both defrauded employers said she was a trusted employee during her time on the job.

The frauds were uncovered after she had ceased employment with the companies.

In both cases, she attempted to cover up her fraudulent actions by destroying evidence.

Federal Prosecutor Bob Constantinescu and Provincial Crown Susan Milligan said they will seek a prison sentence of five to six years.

They said they expect defence lawyer Balfour Der to argue for a conditional sentence of less than two years, to be served in the community.

The lawyers will make their sentence arguments before provincial court Judge Terry Sememuk on July 29.

Source: Calgary Herald, May 14, 2008