CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A former Rotary Club of Stratford member who stole more than $17,000 from the club was sentenced Wednesday to 90 days in jail.
James Joseph Pineau appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to theft over $5,000.
In sentencing Pineau, Orr said it wasn’t a very sophisticated crime, but it would have required some thought because it happened over more than one day.
Pineau was one of the club’s co-presidents when he stole the money by writing 57 cheques to himself.
The other co-president noticed money was missing over a two-year period and learned Pineau had forged his signature 24 times.
Two signatures were required on all cheques.
On Wednesday, Crown attorney Lisa Goulden told the court Pineau had difficulty explaining where the money went, but there were indications he was living beyond his means.
Goulden said the Stratford club members absorbed the entire loss from the theft.
The Rotary four-way test
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
During the submissions, the court also heard Pineau had been diagnosed with depression and an addiction to pornography.
Orr questioned the connection between the addiction and the theft.
Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern said there was no direct relation, but if Pineau was spending time in his home watching pornography then he wasn’t putting his mind to things he should have been.
MacEachern also said Pineau wasn’t stealing to support his pornography addiction but, rather, was stealing without a thought of whether he should be.
The court heard Pineau accepts responsibility for his actions, has been dealing with things in a responsible manner and plans to pay back the money he stole.
MacEachern said Pineau took out a $10,000 personal loan meant to pay part of what he stole, but he lost his job and needed that money to get by.
Orr said it was an aggravating factor that Pineau was a member of the Rotary club and not an employee.
Members are required to follow a four-way moral code, she said.
“He’s violated that by committing this offence in respect to that club.”
With the jail time, which he will serve on weekends, Pineau will be on probation for three years, during which time he must undergo any assessment, counselling or treatment as directed.
Pineau must also perform 150 hours of community service, pay $17,727.30 in restitution and write an apology letter to the club.
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