Defence lawyer Howard Goldkind
questions Cindy Similas, sister of admitted embezzler
Lynn Koven, as Justice Petra Newton listens.
Credit: Drawing by Pam Davies,
Sun Media |
Lynn Koven was trusted "like a
sister" by Dr Tirone David, chief of Canada's busiest
cardiac surgery unit, who knew her for 28 years.
Another cardiac surgeon, Dr Charles
Peniston, was having an affair with Ms Koven.
A third physician described her
as "the consummate CEO," ably juggling responsibilities
for the Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, a gifted
group of surgeons running their practice within University
Health Network.
But the sinister side of Ms Koven
was revealed in court in late February as she admitted
to ripping off her employers for $426,289 over eight
years. She wrote 203 fraudulent cheques from the three
bank accounts for the business from December 1997 to
June 2005.
Ms Koven pleaded guilty to fraud
over $5,000.
Crown attorney Anna Maleszyk is
seeking jail for two years less a day plus probation
for Ms Koven's "significant breach of trust."
"I trusted her like a sister. I
had complete trust in her for finances," testified Dr
David, who brought Ms Koven along from practice to practice.
She was promoted from bookkeeper
to administrator and was paid $104,000 a year.
Dr David said Ms Koven's marriage
had collapsed in 1999 and she was left to raise two
children, now 20 and 18. She was dating one of Dr David's
partners and drinking excessively.
"I learned for the first time in
my life about deceit, dishonesty and betrayal," Dr David
said.
A forensic audit discovered she
deposited the cheques into her accounts, forging many
signatures.
Ms Koven's younger sister, Cindy
Similas, told court Ms Koven was once as a "rock" for
their family, but she is now battling through alcoholism
and dire financial straits.
She had a psychological assessment
that indicated she suffered from "acute confusion" brought
on by a combination of alcohol, diazepam and Tylenol
3.
The hearing continues April 27
at College Park.
Reprinted by permission of the Toronto
Sun.
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