Public Advisory
Burnaby CGA Sharon Louise Keller Charged with Fraud
December 8, 2008
UPDATE: May 22, 2009
On April 21, 2009, Ms. Keller received a six-month conditional sentence of house arrest followed by two years’ probation. In addition, Provincial Court Judge William Kitchen ordered Ms. Keller to perform 50 hours of community service and to write a letter of apology to the Westridge Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee. Ms. Keller had already admitted to defrauding the committee of $9,750 and has since repaid the money. On May 27, 2009, she resigned her CGA membership.
The Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia is issuing a public advisory regarding Sharon Louise Keller, CGA, of Burnaby, B.C.
The Association was informed in a letter dated December 3, 2008 from the Ministry of the Attorney General that Ms. Keller has been charged with theft over $5,000 [Section 334(a)] and fraud over $5,000 [Section 380(1)(a)] of the Criminal Code. A summons has been issued for Ms. Keller to appear in Vancouver provincial court.
The indictment relates to an alleged theft of money from Westridge Elementary School in Burnaby between September 1, 2004 and March 30, 2008 while working as a volunteer.
Ms. Keller has been a member of the Association since 2002.
Confidentiality provisions set out in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Accountants [Certified General] Act (CGA Act) restrict the Association from commenting on matters affecting members, former members or CGA students. However, the Association is providing this advisory since the indictment has been made public.
The CGA Act provides for an independent disciplinary process, which is implemented in accordance with the tenets of administrative law. This process commences when a complaint is filed with the Association against a member or former member, or where the Association deems it appropriate to do so. This process requires a full investigation before the Association can take disciplinary action.
Any member of the public who has information or concerns regarding Ms. Keller should contact [jtimmerman#cga-bc,org]Jim Timmerman, CGA, the Association's Manager of Professional Conduct, at (604) 629-8374 or (800) 565-1211, extension 374.
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Media Contact:
Edward Downing, Director of Communications
Telephone: (604) 730-6208
E-mail: edowning@cga-bc.org