Hamilton woman accused in $140K daycare ripoff

A Hamilton woman has been charged with fraud over $5,000 after police say she defrauded the Paradise Corner Children’s Centre of more than $140,000.

The centre’s coordinator, Jill Penny, says the woman had been an employee for 22 years, and began bookkeeping a few years ago. Penny called the incident a terrible emotional blow from someone that she considered a friend, and has not spoken to her since.

Police began their investigation at the not-for-profit childcare centre back in February. Mary Madeline Robertson, 61, has been charged with defrauding her former employer of the money.