London Educational charity director charged with fraud Share Laura Pethick was hired as the executive director of Foundation for Education Perth Huron in July of 2021. Three years later, she’s accused of defrauding the charity of thousands of dollars. “Although our executive director was dismissed without cause in early March, irregularities were later discovered leading to an investigation and the subsequent charges.
The situation is very disappointing but the foundation board is focused on moving forward, and ensuring that this does not occur in the future,” said Foundation for Education Perth Huron Board Chair Colleen Schenk. Pethick, a Stratford resident, is facing one count of fraud over $5,000, uttering a forged document, and mischief to data. She was charged on May 7, and made her last court appearance in mid-June.
Stratford Police say their investigation determined the charges are related to the purchase of gift cards using fraudulent cheques, and allegedly happened between November 2022 and March 2024. Pethick, who previously worked as a fundraiser for the Huron-Perth chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society, denies any wrongdoing. “Laura Pethick has faithfully worked with the Stratford community to help those in need for 17 years.
She categorically denies these allegations of impropriety and looks forward to the opportunity to respond to these charges in full,” said her lawyer Andrew Porter. The Foundation for Education Perth Huron is based in Seaforth and f.
