In Essa Township, the echo of skates on ice has been replaced, at least for now, by murmurs of disbelief and questions of trust. A modest minor hockey association, the heart of many local winters, finds itself engulfed in the chilling reality of financial betrayal.
Nottawasaga Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched an investigation on May 14 after the association’s executive team noticed an alarming discrepancy in its operational account—a sum of $77,299 could not be accounted for. The missing funds, meant to fuel programs and outfit young athletes, threatened the core of a community institution built on volunteer spirit and collective effort.
According to police, the association’s leaders moved quickly. “Through internal efforts, the association was able to recover $54,000 from a former board member,” reported the OPP in a statement. Despite this partial recovery, the shadow of suspicion lingered as the investigation continued. The case took shape: an individual entrusted with managing part of the association’s funds was found, after a thorough police probe, to have allegedly committed fraud and criminal breach of trust.
Julianna Dinino, 33, from New Brunswick, now faces charges of fraud over $5,000 and criminal breach of trust. The allegations, which have yet to be tested in court, have sent ripples through Essa’s close-knit hockey circles. The accused is scheduled to appear before a judge in November, and the community watches, waiting for the legal process to unfold.
Cases like this force communities to confront uncomfortable truths about oversight, transparency, and the vulnerability of even the most cherished institutions. As Essa’s association works to rebuild confidence and restore its financial footing, parents and volunteers throughout Simcoe County are left asking how best to safeguard the futures of their own organizations. The hope, stubborn and enduring as a cold snap in February, is that accountability will skate to the centre of the rink and lessons learned will resonate far beyond the boards.
References:
OPP lay charges in hockey association fraud case in Essa
Charges laid in local hockey association fraud case
