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Law firm clerk will be sentenced in late May

BY SCOTT HADDOW HUNTER [email protected] A Sudbury law firm clerk and office manager accused of embezzling more than $2 million held in trust for clients and financial institutions will find out in late May whether or not sheÂ?s going to jail.
BY SCOTT HADDOW HUNTER

A Sudbury law firm clerk and office manager accused of embezzling more than $2 million held in trust for clients and financial institutions will find out in late May whether or not sheÂ?s going to jail.

Laura Babij, 38, was charged in late December of 2001 with 20 counts of fraud-related offences following a 14-month investigation by the fraud unit of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

More than two years after being charged, Babij appeared at the Sudbury courthouse Friday morning and pleaded guilty to four of six counts she was facing.

The lengthy police investigation included a detailed forensic audit, which police say tracked a very complicated scheme of misappropriation of money that started back in April of 1998.

Police say some of the funds were directed into unsuccessful investments, while others financed personal matters.

None of the $2.2 million missing has been recovered, say police.

After entering pleas of guilt on four of six counts presented on a new indictment by North Bay assistant Crown attorney Paul Condon, BabijÂ?s
sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 25 at 10 am at the Sudbury Courthouse.

On count one, Babij pleaded guilty to defrauding the London Life Insurance Company, Investors' Group Financial Services, Canada Trust, Citibank Canada and T.D. Canada Trust, Branch 145 in Sudbury, as well as two Sudbury couples and three individuals of more than $5,000.

This took place between April 3, 1998 and Oct. 19, 2000, according to the indictment.

Babij also pleaded guilty to defrauding another Sudbury couple and two individuals of less than $5,000 during the same time period.

Babij also pleaded guilty to committing forgery on a mortgage on a Maki Avenue property or about March 27, 1998.

Babij also pleaded guilty to committing forgery on a letter of advance for mortgage funds from the Sudbury office of the Investors' Group.

Condon told Justice Donald MacKenzie of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice he will be seeking a custodial sentence against Babij at the sentencing hearing in late May.

Defence counsel Andrew Buttazzoni is expected to ask for a conditional sentence against Babij, who has no previous criminal record, to be served in the community under strict conditions.

Babij showed little emotion as she pleaded guilty to the four counts Friday morning.

No members of BabijÂ?s family were present in the courtroom during FridayÂ?s proceedings.