CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A P.E.I. woman who says she was convinced someone else withdrew money from her bank account before learning she was the one who did it was sentenced recently to 33 days in jail for making a false report to police.
Julie Lynn Gaudet, 40, appeared before Judge Jeff Lantz in provincial court in Charlottetown where she pleaded guilty to making a false report and failing to attend court.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court that Gaudet went to Charlottetown police on Aug. 6 to report someone made four withdrawals from her bank account.
The court heard security video showed Gaudet making withdrawals.
Gaudet addressed the court before hearing her sentence, saying that at the time she was convinced she was the victim of fraud and someone else had withdrawn the money.
Gaudet said she was dealing with issues with someone online at the time.
“I’m sorry that I wasted everyone’s time,” she said.
Defence lawyer Alex Dalton told the court substance abuse has been an issue for Gaudet over the years and played a role in the offence.
In sentencing Gaudet, Lantz said there were considerable resources wasted as part of the investigation, including the police having to get a production order for the video.
Along with the jail time, Gaudet will be on probation for one year.
Ryan Ross is The Guardian's justice reporter.
