Former minor hockey volunteer charged with fraud

DAN CEARNS The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: A Port Perry woman has been charged with fraud after funds were allegedly misappropriated from a North Durham minor hockey team.

According to the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), a financial investigation was concluded on Tuesday, August 20th, with police looking into “the fraudulent spending of funds, during the 2023-2024 hockey season, for the North Durham Minor Hockey Association team.”

42 year-old Jennifer Henry is facing one charge of Fraud over $5,000. She was later released on an undertaking.

“The suspect, who is the team manager, embezzled funds that were intended to be used for team expenses during the season. The suspect was taken into custody without incident,” the DRPS press release stated. “Police are appealing for any potential victims related to this investigation to come forward, as investigators believe there may be additional victims.”

The North Durham Minor Hockey Association (NDMHA) provided The Standard with a statement in regards to this incident.

“We are aware that there is considerable public interest following the recent charges against a former team manager within our organization. We can confirm that North Durham Minor Hockey Association (NDMHA) conducts a thorough audit of all team budgets and financial transactions at the conclusion of each season, including oversight throughout the season. During a review of the 2023/2024 season, irregularities were identified with one of our teams budgets. The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) were contacted, and they have laid criminal charges against the former team manager.”

The statement also stressed that the team manager “was not a member of the NDMHA board of directors, nor was she involved in day to day operations of the association in any capacity. She was exclusively a parent volunteer assigned the role of team manager by the specific team.”

The statement concluded that “because this incident will have an impact on our youth hockey players, our primary focus is to support our players and their families, and continue to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all of our players.”

Anyone who has further information on this investigation is asked to contact police by phone at 1-888-579-1520 extension 5241.