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A former Millbrook First Nation employee has been sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison.
In addition, Dawn Marie Ellis-Abbott was ordered to pay restitution of $4.38 million, which she will have to do within 15 years or spend five years in custody if she cannot pay the debt.
The sentence was handed down Friday in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Truro.
Ellis-Abbott also received a 25-year ban on “seeking to obtain or continue any employment or volunteering in any capacity that involves having power over the real property, money or securities of another person.”
She was also given DNA order.
The RCMP launched an investigation after receiving the report. from the Millbrook First Nation Chief and Council in December 2019.
Ellis-Abbott was accused of writing checks for personal use between 2016 and 2019 while she was a senior financial clerk in Millbrook. She was initially believed to have misappropriated $1 million from First Nations.
Following an investigation by the RCMP's commercial crimes unit and digital forensics services, it was determined that Ellis-Abbott had stolen more than $4 million.
Ellis-Abbott was charged in 2023 with fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The latter two charges were dropped, according to Nova Scotia prosecutor's office spokeswoman Joanne Alberstat.
In a civil lawsuit previously filed by Millbrook, a judge ordered Ellis-Abbott to repay the debt. $3.2 million First Nations and an additional $849,000 in interest.
“There will be no double recovery—one dollar paid toward restitution, a civil judgment or a fine instead will reduce other amounts due by the same amount,” Alberstat said.
In a statement on its Facebook page, Millbrook First Nation said the decision brought “closure and justice” after years of investigation. However, in the same post, Chief Bob Gloade adds that this proposal is not enough.
“This crime has had a significant impact on our community, and no amount of time served will replace the economic opportunity and public benefits lost due to this selfish act on the part of this former employee,” he said. “I’m disappointed because I was hoping for a longer period.”
CBC News reached out to Ellis-Abbott's lawyer and the Millbrook First Nation for comment but did not receive a response.
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