Ex-Tłı̨chǫ Agency Official Blames Bagging CA$120K on Problem Gambling

Gambling addiction is a serious issue that needs attention and measures to be implemented in a timely manner before it causes damage to both the player and the people surrounding them. Joseph Charles Beaverho pleaded guilty to fueling his gaming activities with scholarship cheques during his work at the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency. As a result of that, he managed to steal CA$120,721 from the agency and abuse his position of power.

Gaming activities have a way of tricking people into thinking they are in full control of the situation, which could bring more damage down the road. People who gamble on a regular basis consider themselves powerful enough to put an end to their gambling whenever they feel like it, however, the reality might be different. Whenever there is power involved in the situation, such as in Mr. Beaverho’s situation, things could spiral out of control.

Scholarship Program Facilitated Fraud

This week saw a sentencing hearing in Territorial Court that aimed to rule on the controversial case. The formal official associated with the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency made it clear that he is aware of his wrongdoings in the past. He pleaded guilty to committing a breach of trust while he was employed at the agency as a Behchokǫ̀-based scholarship program officer.

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He was appointed on the position on August 22, 2005, continued working, and eventually conducting fraudulent activity until April 29, 2012. According to the lawsuit against him, he took advantage of scholarship cheques amounting to some CA$120,721 in order to continue his gambling habit without any hiccups. The money came from the Tłı̨chǫ Government and aimed to support the education of members of the community.

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The government, seeking better education opportunities across Canada, eyed post-secondary education. It was a flexible program that allowed its participants both the opportunity of direct payments or compensation at a later point. Crown prosecutor Trevor Johnson had some essential details to highlight. He pointed out that the Northern Territories rarely witness a fraudulent activity of this magnitude.

He Faces Two Years of House Arrest

What made the fraudulent activity even easier, was the room for action left and the lack of written job description or blueprint to follow. Mr. Beaverho relied on the verbal guidance of people above him in the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency structure. This made the monitoring of money transactions insufficient, as he had the task of distributing the scholarship cheques in person, via banks, as well as by mail.

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The year 2010 was foreshadowing, as unreported income of CA$1,944 was discovered by the Canada Revenue Agency. An internal audit bureau probe launched in 2012 seeking more information, revealing the logistics around the fraud. Mr. Beaverho used the argument that some students do not have a bank account to make deposits to his own account.

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He faces two years of house arrest, but it should also be taken into account that he intends to seek guidance and support in overcoming his problem gambling tendencies. Jay Bran, the lawyer defending Mr. Beaverho stated that following the start of the investigation against his client, Mr. Beaverho has been unable to find employment anywhere. This is the reason why he is currently unable to pay for his fraudulent activity.