Former Royal Canadian Legion Branch president, treasurer charged with fraud
Posted September 25, 2023 11:52 am.
Last Updated September 25, 2023 5:09 pm.
York Regional Police say the former president and treasurer of a Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Vaughan are facing fraud charges that involved the accused receiving personal cheques of over $30,000.
Authorities received information concerning fraudulent activity in January 2022.
It’s alleged a former president of a Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Woodbridge, Ont. wrote cheques to herself using the Legion’s account and used the funds for her personal use.
Investigators learned that between 2017 and 2019, the accused, identified as 56-year-old Giuseppina Fedele, wrote herself 34 cheques and transferred seven electronic money transfers to her account, totalling over $33,000.
Police said the former treasurer, 61-year-old Nicola Pinto, partook by signing 24 of the written cheques to Fedele.
Both suspects face charges, including fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for Ontario’s Royal Canadian Legion said they’re aware of the charges and declined to comment further.
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian veterans’ organization founded in 1925. Its mission is to serve veterans, including military and RCMP members and their families.
