Burden Sentenced

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 02:52 PM

Former Fraser-Fort George Regional District Director Deirdre (Dee) Burden has been sentenced to a one year conditional sentence to be followed by one year probation.

Burden had entered a plea of guilty earlier this week to defrauding the Royal Bank while she was employed as a loans officer.

Burden was going through a very difficult time when she set up the false loan accounts for about $34 thousand dollars. Her son was sick with cancer, her husband had been declared legally blind and the family was at risk of losing its small farm.

Judge Karen Walker says Burdon has already paid back $3,000 and has contributed to the community through her many hours of volunteer service with the St. John’s Ambulance and the Salmon Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Still, Judge Walker said Burden was in a position of trust and there had to be a sentence which reflected the violation of that trust.

Burden must pay back the $31 thousand dollars outstanding, and has a curfew for the next year, which means she is not allowed to leave her home from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless she has written permission from a supervisor. The Judge also ordered that Burdon not handle any funds other than her own.

Burden resigned from her post as Director for Electoral Area "A" last Friday, just three days before she appeared in Court. The Regional District is expected to name an Elections Officer at its November meeting, which will trigger the 80 day limit for a by-election.

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Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 02:52 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Norm on October 18 2006 6:57 PM

it is no wonder that we have repeat offenders,the punishment does not deter a repeat offence.
how is she to pay back $31,000 with no job,a curfew and unable to handle any funds other than her own? o and support the people and maintain the farm that she stole the money for?

Posted by: Jethro on October 18 2006 9:56 PM

I think it's perfectly acceptable to skim a little dough from your employer when you've suffered some personal, and potentially life-changing set-backs - especially so when your employer is a chartered bank, or a wealthy private sector company.

Even more acceptable would be to sneak a few thousand dollars from the public purse, through a civic, provincial or even federal level of government. Governments have literally millions of dollars.

Who would notice, and who would care?

Most important, who would it be hurting??

Posted by: trollunderthebridge on October 18 2006 10:21 PM

So Jethro condones internal theft, awesome, just hope you don't pass that mindset on to your kids.There is enough losers running around this town stealing anything that isn't nailed down let alone the ones with their hand in their employer's cookie jar.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 18 2006 10:30 PM

I thought each case is judged on it's own merits? How about we just give 'em a fair trial, then we'll hang 'em. Aint that justice? Works for Saddam.

Posted by: dow7500 on October 18 2006 11:37 PM

You have to play the hand your delt and Dee got a bad one. This is a rare example of someone who shouldn't be put away for the crime.

Posted by: Chester on October 19 2006 12:31 AM

Let's face it, She broke the law. She is not dangerous to the public, but she committed a crime involving stealing money.

So, the penalty she has been handed is not so terrible. There has to be some deterrant. This is not acceptable behavior. I have as much compassion for her situation as anyone else would, but that doesn't excuse inappropriate behavior that breaks the law. Chester

Posted by: Don Mackenzie on October 19 2006 9:43 AM

If she STOLE the money to save the farm...would not the farm be Proceeds Of Crime???...and should be seized by the goverment ..SOLD...And the Money given to the Victims of the Crime. No one ever accepts blame, THE LADY IS A THIEF!!!!!

Posted by: Kevin on October 19 2006 12:22 PM

Wow, it is easy to see that there is still in this day and age those who are still dragging their knuckles on the ground. Yes, Don Mackenzie it you of whom I speak. It would do you well to research the law prior to posting or better yet opening your mouth. It was uttered thousands of years ago that a wise man will still his tongue and a fool will wag his. Another tidbit for you; those of you without sin, cast a stone at her first. Don, if this post is beyond your ability to understand I will post one using small single syllable words if need be.

Posted by: Kevin on October 19 2006 12:23 PM

Posted by: Jethro on October 19 2006 12:38 PM

Kevin is absolutely correct.

Only a knuckle dragging Neandrethal would want to punish Ms. Burden in any way. She should be given an unconditional discharge because she took the money 'to save the family farm'.

Laws are written to be flexible, and should be applied as such - interpretation of statutes, bylaws and prior decisions by the courts should be tempered by good old common sense.

If you steal a hoagie from 7-11 because you want to prove to your friends that you're a bad-boy, you should be charged, and convicted.

If you steal a hoagie from 7-11 because you're hungry, you should be excused.

How in the world can we have a carrying, compassionate society if people are arrested and convicted willy-nilly for so-called 'crimes'?

Posted by: Kevin on October 19 2006 1:13 PM

Well Jethro, you are well versed at sarcasm. Good for you.

Now more to the point. The judge passed sentence, end of story. Done is done. I agree that there should be punishment and there has been.

I do hope that you will never ever have to be put in a situation where you would have to even think of putting your impecable morals and ethics to the test.

Posted by: Don Mackenzie on October 19 2006 1:56 PM

Kevin, you are a FOOL, the woman is a thief. No excuses she is a thief ..And kevin posting twice proves you can not even operate a computer, so who is still dragging their knuckles on the ground.

Posted by: Don Mackenzie on October 19 2006 2:07 PM

I forgot Jethro you are also a fool. Hope some one that needs a ride steals your car. or needs a tv, breaks into your house and steals yours, But you probably live in your parents basement Living off them, Loser.

Posted by: Harbinger on October 19 2006 10:40 PM

Can't we all get along?

Posted by: Norm on October 20 2006 12:16 PM

does the end justify the means? i think not.
laws are in place for a reason, if they don't work, then change them.