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Last week, it was reported that Laura Pethick, former executive director of Foundation for Education Perth Huron, was charged with fraud with a value of more than $5,000 for actions that allegedly occurred while she was employed there.
Among other charges, police alleged that Pethick, who started working for the Seaforth-based foundation in July 2021, purchased more than $11,000 of gift cards using fraudulent checks some time between November 2022 and May 2024. Pethick also allegedly used a Caring Fund application form , and formatted and changed the account password of a foundation laptop.
In response to the allegations, Andrew Porter of Toronto-based Porter Litigation provided a statement on Pethick’s behalf denying any wrongdoing.
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“Laura Pethick has faithfully worked with the Stratford community to help those in need for 17 years,” Porter said in an email to the Beacon Herald.
“She categorically denies these allegations of impropriety and looks forward to the opportunity to respond to these charges in full,” the email added.
While a separate entity from the foundation, the Avon Maitland District school board is still “working co-operatively with the foundation board to ensure that funds are secured and that future actions are taken to protect charitable donations,” director of education Graham Shantz said in a statement last week.
Pethick was dismissed from her role in early March of this year. Irregularities were reportedly discovered after her dismissal that led to an investigation and her subsequent arrest, foundation chair Colleen Schenk said in statement last week.
Pethick made her first appearance in court on Monday, June 17. According to a court spokesperson, the case has been adjourned until Sept. 9 for what will likely be another brief appearance. The case itself could take some time to resolve, the spokesperson added.
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