Barb Gallant sentenced to 90 days in jail for stealing from P.E.I. veterans

Barb Gallant, the former Summerside city councillor who stole thousands of dollars from a veterans' group after getting caught up in an online romance scam, was sentenced Monday to 90 days in jail.

She was also ordered to pay $10,985.12 in restitution to Lest We Forget, where she worked as the volunteer executive director when she made 58 fraudulent transactions amounting to $12,995. She has already paid back $2,000.

Gallant, 60, will serve her sentence on weekends beginning Dec. 20.

The defence was asking for a conditional sentence of six to nine months, basically house arrest. The Crown had sought four to six months in custody.

Gallant was also placed on probation for three years. During that time, she must disclose the conviction to any future employer or volunteer organization with which she works.

She must also serve 50 hours of community service, or pay $10 per hour in lieu to Lest We Forget.

Charged in April

Gallant was charged in April with fraud over $5,000 after accounting irregularities were flagged at the Lest We Forget veterans' committee.

In June, she was disqualified from Summerside city council for having missed three consecutive meetings following the laying of charges.

At her sentencing hearing in November, Gallant apologized to the veterans and to her community.

The court was told that Gallant was a "kind and thoughtful" person who was a victim of an online dating scam. Her lawyer, Peter Ghiz, said she was in contact with someone she believed was a retired U.S. Navy captain, who said he was stationed in Syria.

She soon started sending him money — over a 16-month period — before realizing she was being scammed.

However, Crown prosecutor Chad McQuaid noted that 18 of the fraudulent transactions took place before she began corresponding with the person overseas.