Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.
Christian Lillyman and his partner were arrested and charged in December 2022 after more than $13,000 was not paid to the foundation.
According to details shared in court on Thursday, Lillyman had reached out to the foundation in January 2021, with the plan to host a fishing derby and the money raised would go to the foundation.
The Full Tilt Winter Walleye Tournament had 492 people register and more than $22,000 was collected in entry fees.
Once the tournament ended, more than $9,000 was awarded as prize money, with the remaining roughly $13,000 supposed to go to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba – but the money never came.
"The people working at the foundation have a sincere desire to help sick kids and they trust the third-party donors that come to us who say they also want to help kids in hospital. So this breach of trust caused a sense of sadness, anger, and then significant worry for our staff members," said the president and CEO of the foundation Stefano Grande, in a victim impact statement shared with the court.
The court heard Lillyman had "good intentions" when he set out to raise the money, but fell on hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a self-employed painter and when COVID hit, his contracts dried up, the court heard.
Lillyman's lawyer said after the tournament, Lillyman would borrow money from the $13,000 pot with hopes of paying it back once he got new contracts for work, but it never happened.
Once Lillyman entered a guilty plea, the charges against his partner were stayed, the Crown said, noting Lillyman was "solely responsible."
Lillyman has since found a job and has already paid back $3,000 to the foundation, the court heard.
He said he regretted what he did and has grown from this experience.
As part of his sentence, Lillyman must make monthly payments to the foundation until the remaining $10,000 is paid off.
If he doesn't follow through, Judge Dale Schille warned jail time could be possible.
"If you don't make the payments, you will be back here to see me," Schille told Lillyman.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for US$5.25 million
Kevin McCallister’s childhood home has hit the market for US$5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the 'Home Alone' movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Israeli tanks advance into Rafah's centre despite global outcry
Israeli tanks advanced to the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city that has stirred global condemnation for its continued civilian toll.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.