Doucette pleads guilty to single fraud charge

A former employee for the County of Lethbridge has pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud by altering documents relating to money that was stolen from her employer between 2016 and 2019.

Lethbridge lawyer Greg White offered the guilty plea Monday in Lethbridge provincial court on behalf of his client, Brandi Leanne Doucette, who was charged last summer following an investigation into the theft of about $49,000 from the county office.

Doucette, 41, was originally charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000 and altering documents, and she had elected to be tried by a Court of

Queen’s Bench judge. However, White changed her election Monday to trial by provincial court judge and offered the single guilty plea.

The charges of fraud over $5,000 and possession of the proceeds of crime are expected to be withdrawn when the woman is sentenced later this summer.

White said he and the Crown will provide the judge with an agreed statement of facts and a joint submission for a conditional sentence, which, if accepted by the judge, will allow Doucette to serve her sentence in the community, likely under house arrest.

The matter has been adjourned to June 15, when a date for sentencing may be scheduled. During sentencing, three victim impact statements from individuals will also be presented to the court. One of the victims has asked to attend court so she can personally read her statement.

“She would like to look the accused in the eye,” White said.