By Michael Talbot
A man and woman are facing charges after police allege they fraudulently raised donations for a minor hockey association without any affiliation and kept the cash for themselves.
According to investigators with Durham Regional Police, the suspects sold booklets they claimed supported the Clarington Flames Hockey Association. However, the police confirmed that the hockey association was not connected to them and received none of the funds raised.
The suspects claimed to be affiliated with a business called JSMarketing, as noted in a police release. The Clarington Flames Girls Hockey Association clarified that they are not associated with this business or the suspects and have not received any donations from the fundraiser.
While the coupon books themselves are legitimate, the proceeds did not go to the Clarington Flames, and the suspects were not acting on behalf of the organization.
Robert Ted Kurosad, 53, and Jennifer Batten, 44, both from Oshawa, face charges of fraud over $5,000 and obtaining property by false pretenses over $5,000.