Disciplinary Summary
July 5, 2012
Complaint
CGA-BC learned of the allegations against former member Ms. Karline Frances Elliott (Ms. Elliott) in an article published in the Vancouver Sun on October 26, 2009. The article alleged that Ms. Elliott had embezzled more than $400,000 from the BC Amateur Softball Association (BCASA).
Decision
The Discipline Committee found Ms. Elliott in breach of the Association's Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct in effect from September 23, 2006 as follows:
a) 1st Ethical Principle – Responsibilities to Society, 2nd Ethical Principle – Trust and Duties, 5th Ethical Principle – Professional Practice, R101 – Discredit, R102 – Unlawful Activity, R604(c) – Admittance to Membership, and R606(a) – Detrimental Actions as
- upon admittance to membership in CGA-BC, Ms. Elliott agreed to comply at all times with the principles, obligations and responsibilities in the Oath of Obligation and specifically she agreed to conduct herself and her actions in accordance with Rules of Conduct;
- the Preamble to the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct states that members must act with integrity and be trustworthy;
- Ms. Elliott was an employee of BCASA;
- Ms. Elliott was set up as the Service Administrator for BCASA, allowing her to set up payees and transfer funds using online banking;
- Ms. Elliott made unauthorized online payments to herself in the amount of $406,731.01 over the period April 30, 2007 to September 21, 2009;
- Ms. Elliott was charged with one count of fraud and one count of theft under Sections 380(1) and 334(a) of the Criminal Code (Canada);
- Ms. Elliott pled guilty to one count of theft under Section 334(a) of the Criminal Code (Canada); and,
- Ms. Elliott was sentenced to three years in jail.
b) 4th Ethical Principle – Deceptive Information as Ms. Elliott admitted to manipulating the books and records of the BCASA.
Discipline Order
- Barred from reinstatement;
- fined $10,000; and,
- assessed costs of $1,971.20.
