A woman who organized a Christmas fair is accused of fraud
An Ontario resident lost thousands of dollars gambling.
A 52-year-old woman who organized a Christmas fair in Kitchener, Ontario has been arrested on suspicion of fraud. Waterloo Regional Police said the suspect gambled away vendors' deposit money — more than CA$ 5,000. The woman herself cites an even more serious amount — about CA$ 20,000.
Between Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, police received 55 reports of fraud from vendors at the Christmas Fair. The event was scheduled for Sunday, November 19 at the Bingemans Convention Center in Kitchener.
Stacey Cliff, admitted to spending the money in a post on her Facebook page:
“It is with my most profound apologies that my mental health addiction compiled with my absolute selfishness has created a storm I cannot control,” she wrote. “So many of you have followed me, had faith and trusted me through good and bad events. I’ve taken that trust, and wors[e], your money, and have done the very worst I can do, which is not putting it where it belongs.”
About 200 vendors paid between CA$ 100 and CA$ 200 to secure a spot at the market. After Cliff's admission of embezzlement, the event, under a different name and led by a different organizer, was held last Sunday.
A court date has been set for December 20 this year. Police are asking other possible victims to contact law enforcement and report damage.
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