Hamilton police has charged Elizabeth Marck, 57 from Hamilton with fraud and theft after defrauding CUPE Local 786 of approximately $1 million.

Hamilton Police Major Fraud Unit said back in July of 2017 they received a complaint from CUPE Local 786 regarding several accounting irregularities that had been discovered.

Between January 2010 and March 2017  it is alleged that the union elected Treasurer had used union funds for personal benefit.

At the end of June last year, just before the police investigation was launched, a letter was sent to the union members saying that local 786 was put under administration by the national president due to serious governance, by-law and financial irregularities that were reported. The executive has been relieved of their office and steps have been taken to secure the local’s office and assets. This is a decision that the national union does not take likely.

Marck has been charged with one count of fraud over $5000 and one count of theft over $5000. She was released with a promise to appear in court on August 7th.