Employee defrauded farmers’ advocacy group out of more than $65,000

In 2017, two local high school students applied for post-secondary scholarships through Niagara South Federation of Agriculture.

The teens submitted essays outlining their future goals within the agri-food industry, community involvement and explaining why they deserved the award.

The students were thrilled after being told they had been selected.

That elation, however, soon turned to disappointment after the chairwoman of the scholarship committee informed them the money simply wasn’t available.

That’s because the employee, Amy Clattenburg, had pocketed the money for herself.

All told, the Welland woman pilfered more than $65,000 from her employer over two years.

Earlier this month in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines, the 38-year-old was sentenced to two years less a day conditional sentence — to be served in the community and not behind bars — on a charge of fraud.

Court heard the federation’s board of directors, which advocates on behalf of farm families, had concerns regarding internal finances at NSFA. The board instructed Clattenburg to retain an auditor in order to look into the issue.

She later presented the board with a report from a legitimate accounting firm which suggested everything was in order.

It turns out the report was fake and that the accounting firm had nothing to do with an audit.

Clattenburg submitted $150 to the agency at her sentencing date, and agreed to pay $50 a month toward restitution.

“It’s a monthly reminder of the crime she committed,” assistant Crown attorney Timothy Hill told Judge Peter Wilkie.

“These are honest agronomy-type people,” he added. “They put their trust in Ms. Clattenburg.”

The federation, which advocates on behalf of 325 farm families in south Niagara on agricultural issues, receives funds through membership fees as well as grants.