FORMER AUTISM CHARITY WORKER PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD

A former executive director of an organization that works with people with autism has pleaded guilty to defrauding the group of more than $5,000.

Tracy Ann Smith, 40, made a brief appearance before Justice Gregory Cann in P.E.I. Supreme Court Tuesday afternoon in Charlottetown where she entered the guilty plea.

Smith is a former executive director of the Stars for Life Foundation and was facing four charges related to allegations involving the organization.

Stars for Life sets out goals of providing continuing education, creating workplace opportunities and building supported homes for people with autism.

Smith is now awaiting sentencing on a charge that between Jan. 1, 2017, and May 1, 2018, she defrauded the Stars for Life Foundation of more than $5,000.

She was also facing charges of forgery, using forged documents and theft, but the Crown stayed those charges during Tuesday’s court appearance.

Of those charges, one related to the alleged writing of forged cheques and another dealt with her allegedly passing off forged cheques.

A pre-sentence report will be prepared for Smith’s next court appearance, which is scheduled for March 8.