CORNER BROOK — A Corner Brook woman who allegedly stole money from and defrauded Western Health had a warrant issued for her arrest on Tuesday when she failed to show up for court.
Barbara Mahar was not present when her matter was called by Judge Wayne Gorman in provincial court.
Legal-aid lawyer Sandi MacKinnon was present and told Gorman she represents Mahar, but that her client had not yet signed a designation of council.
MacKinnon then asked the judge to issue a warrant of jurisdiction in the case.
Instead, Gorman asked the Crown if it wanted a warrant for Mahar’s arrest issued and Crown attorney Silvia Suman said yes.
MacKinnon questioned the decision, only to have Gorman ask where Mahar was and if there was a reason why she was not present. With MacKinnon unable to provide that information, Gorman issued the warrant, but noted the Crown could use its discretion in its execution should some explanation for Mahar’s absence be determined.
Mahar is charged with theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000. The information in the case alleges that she stole in excess of $5,000 from Western Health sometime between April 1, 2011 and Feb. 29, 2012. It also alleges that during the same time period she did by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means defraud Western Health of money in excess of $5,000.
