A date to sentence a former treasurer of Coquitlam Little League will be set next Thursday, Sept. 7.
This morning, Sept. 1, Terri April Michael entered a guilty plea to theft over $5,000 before a judge at Port Coquitlam Provincial Court.
Wearing a white cardigan and jeans and sitting on her walker, Michael heard prosecutor Jim Bird tell the court that she stole $260,000 from the kids baseball organization between 2014 and 2020.
Her lawyer, Justin Myers, said Michael's plea is voluntary and she understands that a jail sentence may be imposed by the sentencing judge.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada, a theft conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Michael, 65, is also charged with fraud over $5,000.
Myers told the court that Michael had mental health challenges "before and during" the offences and asked for a pre-sentencing report with a psychological assessment be completed before the sentencing hearing later this year.
That hearing is expected to take a day, the counsels agreed.
Michael was the club treasurer of the non-profit group between September 2014 and August 2020 while her husband, Bruce, was its secretary; both also taught little league parents how to score keep.
Bruce Michael was in the courtroom on Sept. 1 to support his wife.
Her money theft was discovered several months after the 11/12 All-Stars team won the national championship and represented Canada at the 2019 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.
It is alleged Michael used the money for gambling.
In a May 12, 2023, statement that's posted on the Coquitlam Little League website, president Sandon Fraser thanked the community for its support during a "difficult time."
