PPC campaign volunteer for Windsor-Tecumseh charged with financial offences in 2021 federal election

A Windsor campaign volunteer with the People’s Party of Canada has been charged with financial offences dating back to the 2022 federal election.

A People’s Party of Canada campaign volunteer for Windsor-Tecumseh has been charged with financial offences in the 2021 federal election.

Marites Brown is facing three charges laid in June by the Commissioner of Canada Elections.

According to the CCE, Brown was acting “as the official agent for Victor Green”, a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in Windsor-Tecumseh.

Brown is charged under the Canada Elections Act with submitting an “incomplete campaign return” and depositing a cheque worth $18,319.40 from Elections Canada into her personal account.

She is also charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with fraud for taking more than $5,000 intended for Green’s campaign account.

According to the Criminal Code of Canada, a conviction for theft could lead to a term of imprisonment between two and 10 years.

A conviction the Canada Elections Act under could lead to a fine of $2,000 and/or three months in jail.

In a statement to CTV News, a People’s Party of Canada spokesperson said:

“Under Elections Canada law, each riding campaign operates as a separate, legal entity, with its own financial agent and compliance responsibilities. By law, these investigations are between the accused and the office of the Commissioner. We respect the process and authority granted the Commissioner to enforce the law and are not going to speak to an ongoing investigation.”

CTV News reached out to Green for comment.

Here are the charges in detail:

Charge no. 1

On or about Feb. 20, 2022, at or near the city of Windsor or elsewhere in the Province of Ontario, Marites Brown did, while acting as the official agent for Victor Green, a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the electoral district of Windsor-Tecumseh during the 44th federal General Election, submit an incomplete campaign return required for the 44th federal General Election, contrary to subsection 477.59(1) of the Canada Elections Act, S. C. 2000, c. 9, as amended, and by doing so, committed an offence contrary to paragraph 497.4(2)(i) of the Canada Elections Act, S. C. 2000, c. 9 as amended.

Charge no. 2

On or about Jan. 15, 2022, at or near the city of Windsor or elsewhere in the Province of Ontario, Marites Brown did, while acting as the official agent for Victor Green, a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the electoral district of Windsor-Tecumseh during the 44th federal General Election, deposit in her personal bank account, a cheque from Elections Canada in the amount of $ 18,319.40, contrary to subsection 477.46(3) of the Canada Elections Act, S. C. 2000, c. 9, as amended, and by doing so, committed an offence contrary to paragraph 497.4(1)(d) of the Canada Elections Act, S. C. 2000, c. 9 as amended.

Charge no. 3

On or between Oct. 28, 2021 and January 15, 2022, at or near the city of Windsor or elsewhere in the Province of Ontario, Marites Brown did, while acting as the official agent for Victor Green, a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the electoral district of Windsor-Tecumseh during the 44th federal General Election, commit theft of a value more than $5,000, by fraudulently and without colour of right, taking or converting money intended for an account at the Royal Bank of Canada associated with the electoral campaign of Victor Green, a candidate in the 44th federal General Election, contrary to paragraph 322(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada, and by doing so, committed an offence contrary to paragraph 334(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.