The Chilliwack man who was a no-show for his sentencing hearing for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Seabird Island Band is back in custody.
A warrant was issued in provincial court on Nov. 21 for the arrest of Stephen Andrew MacKinnon who was out of custody, fired his lawyer, and did not attend his sentencing hearing.
READ MORE: Seabird Island Band embezzler a no-show for sentencing hearing
MacKinnon appeared briefly in court on Nov. 23 having turned himself a day prior.
He had pleaded guilty in July after being charged with fraud, theft and forgery dating back to July 15, 2005.
A large group of Seabird Island band members including Chief Clem Seymour showed up for the sentencing Nov. 21 but it didn’t happen.
Instead, MacKinnon’s lawyer Darrel Schultz appeared in front of the judge to say he had been fired by his client and he was unaware of the 48-year-old’s whereabouts.
MacKinnon, who lives in Chilliwack, was charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, forgery, and using a forged document.
The most serious offences, forgery and using a forged document, come each with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
According to Seabird members, MacKinnon did work setting up computer systems for the band.
No bail hearing was held on Nov. 23 and he agreed to remain in custody until sentencing, which is now scheduled for Jan. 12.
@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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