Hailey Tran
Former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch was escorted out of Halifax provincial court by sheriff's deputies after being sentenced to five months in jail and one year's probation for defrauding the Halifax hospital of more than $40,000. Kitch was found guilty of fraud over $5,000 and charged with exploiting her position for personal gain. The hospital's board of directors filed a criminal complaint in 2017, and while the defence requested a conditional sentence, the judge emphasized the seriousness of misusing public funds intended for a vital institution serving vulnerable individuals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Executive | Tracy Leanne Kitch |
| Position | Former CEO of IWK Health Centre |
| Hospital | Halifax Hospital, Halifax provincial court |
| Reason | Fraud over $5,000 |
| Sentence | 5 months in jail and 1 year of probation |
| Amount Defrauded | Over $43,000 |
| Date of Sentencing | August 10, 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
- Former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch was found guilty of fraud
- Kitch was sentenced to five months in jail and a year's probation
- Kitch defrauded the Halifax hospital of more than $43,000
- The hospital board filed a criminal complaint in September 2017
- A man dressed as medical staff was investigated for an indecent act
Former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch was found guilty of fraud
The Crown called evidence from 18 witnesses and presented more than 70 exhibits over 11 days of testimony at the trial. The hospital's board of directors filed a criminal complaint with Halifax Regional Police in September 2017, and in October 2018, police announced criminal charges against Kitch and the IWK’s former chief financial officer, Stephen D’Arcy. D’Arcy, 60, of Toronto, was accused of breach of trust, unauthorized use of a computer, and data mischief, but his charges were dismissed in May 2022 after the Crown announced it was offering no evidence.
Judge Paul Scovil, who sentenced Kitch, said she took advantage of her position to use her expense account as “her own personal piggy bank”. Scovil rejected the defence’s request for a conditional sentence to be served in the community, stating that it would be “manifestly unfit” under the circumstances. Crown attorneys had asked for a sentence of nine months in jail and two years’ probation, while the defence recommended an 18-month conditional sentence with two years of probation. Kitch’s legal team is appealing her conviction, and she is expected to be granted bail.
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Kitch was sentenced to five months in jail and a year's probation
Former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch was escorted out of Halifax provincial court by sheriff's deputies after being sentenced to five months in jail and one year's probation for defrauding the Halifax hospital of more than $43,000. During her three years as CEO of the hospital, Kitch incurred a total of $143,730 in expenses, including $28,654 in travel expenses not supported by scheduled business events, $7,670 in expenses claimed while on vacation, and an additional $6,782 in expenses without supporting receipts or invoices.
Kitch was found guilty of fraud over $5,000 and, during the trial, the Crown called evidence from 18 witnesses and presented more than 70 exhibits over 11 days of testimony. Judge Paul Scovil, who sentenced Kitch, stated that she had taken advantage of her position to use her expense account as "her own personal piggy bank." As a result of her conviction, Kitch will be prohibited from working or volunteering in any capacity that involves managing the property, money, or valuable securities of another person while she serves her probation.
The hospital's board of directors filed a criminal complaint with the Halifax Regional Police in September 2017, and in October 2018, police announced criminal charges against Kitch and the IWK’s former chief financial officer, Stephen D’Arcy. While D’Arcy's charges were dismissed, Kitch's actions were deemed a serious misuse of public funds meant for a hospital that helps vulnerable people. This case highlights the consequences of abusing a position of trust and the importance of upholding ethical standards in the management of public institutions.
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Kitch defrauded the Halifax hospital of more than $43,000
Former IWK Health Centre CEO Tracy Kitch was escorted out of Halifax provincial court by sheriff's deputies after being sentenced to five months in jail and one year's probation for defrauding the Halifax hospital of more than $43,000. The 61-year-old from Oakville, Ont. was found guilty of fraud over $5,000 in February and was sentenced by Judge Paul Scovil, who stated that she had abused her position to treat her expense account as "her own personal piggy bank."
The hospital's board of directors filed a criminal complaint with the Halifax Regional Police in September 2017, and in October 2018, police announced charges against Kitch and the IWK's former CFO, Stephen D'Arcy. While D'Arcy's charges were dismissed, Kitch was convicted of defrauding the hospital by charging over $43,000 in personal costs to her corporate credit card. This included a report by forensic accountant Alex Nunez, who found that Kitch had incurred $143,730 in expenses during her three years as CEO, with $28,654 in unsupported travel expenses and $7,670 in expenses claimed while on vacation.
Kitch's legal team is appealing her conviction, and she is expected to be granted bail. During her probation, she will be prohibited from holding any position of authority over financial matters. While the defence requested a conditional sentence, the judge rejected this, stating that it would be "manifestly unfit" given the circumstances. Crown attorneys had also pushed for a harsher sentence of nine months in jail and two years' probation, emphasizing the seriousness of misusing public funds intended for a hospital, which serves vulnerable people.
The case of Tracy Kitch highlights the consequences of abusing a position of trust and the importance of upholding ethical standards, particularly in the handling of public funds meant for essential institutions like hospitals.
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The hospital board filed a criminal complaint in September 2017
In September 2017, the hospital board filed a criminal complaint with the Halifax Regional Police. This complaint was made against Tracy Leanne Kitch, the former president and CEO of the IWK Health Centre, a children's hospital in Halifax. The complaint was regarding Kitch's misuse of her corporate credit card, which resulted in her defrauding the hospital of over $43,000. The hospital board's criminal complaint initiated a series of legal proceedings against Kitch.
The investigation and trial revealed that Kitch had charged personal expenses to her corporate credit card, including travel expenses for flights between Halifax and Toronto, where her family lived. These travel expenses amounted to $28,654 and were not supported by scheduled business events on her calendar. Additionally, she claimed a total of $7,670 in expenses while on vacation or holidays, and there were no receipts or invoices for an additional $6,782 in expenses. Forensic accountant Alex Nunez examined Kitch's expenses during her three years as CEO, which totalled $143,730.
In February 2022, Kitch was found guilty of fraud over $5,000. She was sentenced in August 2022 to five months in jail and one year of probation. During the sentencing, Judge Paul Scovil stated that Kitch had taken advantage of her position and treated her expense account as "her own personal piggy bank." The Crown attorneys had initially requested nine months in jail and two years of probation, while the defence lawyers suggested an 18-month conditional sentence and two years of probation. Kitch's legal team has appealed her conviction, and she was granted bail by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.
The hospital board's criminal complaint in September 2017 marked the beginning of the legal proceedings that ultimately led to Kitch's conviction and sentencing for expense account fraud. The complaint highlighted the seriousness of Kitch's misuse of public funds and her exploitation of her position of trust within the hospital.
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A man dressed as medical staff was investigated for an indecent act
The man, who was reported as an "unwanted person," was initially arrested for public intoxication and charged with theft before being released from custody. It was later discovered that he had allegedly committed an indecent act while inside the hospital. He was spotted roaming through the hospital and was seen wearing medical scrubs, leading health authority staff to believe he had impersonated a medical professional. The man was described as 5'10" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with short white and gray hair and a goatee.
Police urged anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect's location to come forward and assist in the investigation. This incident caused concern and prompted a swift response from both law enforcement and the health authority, underscoring the seriousness of such acts within a healthcare setting.
The investigation into the indecent act is ongoing, and authorities are actively seeking information to locate and identify the suspect. The man's motives remain unclear, but his actions have raised concerns about patient safety and security within the hospital. The incident also highlights the potential risks posed by unauthorized individuals gaining access to restricted areas and the importance of vigilant monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Former IWK Health Centre CEO, Tracy Kitch, was escorted out of Halifax provincial court by sheriff's deputies after being sentenced to five months in jail and one year's probation for defrauding the Halifax Hospital of more than $43,000.
Tracy Kitch was found guilty of fraud over $5,000, charging personal expenses to her corporate credit card. These expenses included pre-purchased flight passes from Air Canada for travel between Halifax and Toronto, where her family lived, as well as smaller charges for taxis, hotels, baggage, flight changes, and meals.
The hospital's board of directors filed a criminal complaint in September 2017, and Kitch was sentenced in August 2022, resulting in a duration of approximately four years and eleven months.
Tracy Kitch received a five-month jail sentence and a one-year probation period. During probation, she is prohibited from positions of financial authority over another person's property, money, or valuable securities.
