Court sentences former Millbrook employee to 4½ years for defrauding Millbrook First Nation

A former employee of the Millbrook First Nation has been sentenced to 4½ years in federal prison. 

In addition, Dawn Marie Ellis-Abbott was ordered to pay restitution of $4.38 million, which she will have to do within 15 years or spend five years in custody if she defaults the repayment.

The sentence was handed down Friday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Truro. 

Ellis-Abbott also received a 25-year prohibition from “seeking obtaining or continuing any employment or becoming or being a volunteer in any capacity, that involves having authority over the real property, money or valuable security of another person.” 

She has also been given a DNA order. 

RCMP began an investigation after receiving a report from the chief and council of Millbrook First Nation in December 2019. 

Ellis-Abbott was accused of writing cheques for personal use between 2016 and 2019 in her position as senior finance clerk for Millbrook. It was initially believed she had misappropriated $1 million from the First Nation. 

After an investigation by the RCMP’s commercial crime section and digital forensics services, it was found that Ellis-Abbott had stolen more than $4 million. 

Ellis-Abbott had been charged in 2023 for fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The two latter charges were withdrawn, according to JoAnn Alberstat, a spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service. 

In a civil action previously filed by Millbrook, a judge ordered Ellis-Abbott to repay $3.2 million to the First Nation, and an additional $849,000 in interest. 

“There will not be double recovery — one dollar paid towards any restitution, civil judgment or fine in lieu will bring the other amounts due down by the same amount,” said Alberstat.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Millbrook First Nation said that after years of investigation, the decision brought “closure and justice.” In the same post, however, Chief Bob Gloade adds that the sentence isn’t enough.

“This crime has significantly impacted our community and no amount of time-served will replace the economic opportunities and community benefits lost because of this selfish act from this former employee,” he said. “I am disappointed, as I was hopeful for a longer sentence.”

CBC News reached out to Ellis-Abbott’s lawyer and Millbrook First Nation for comment, but did not receive a response. 

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