A daycare owner was sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding parents of nearly $70,000 by misleading them about government subsidies. Despite her claims of financial hardship, the judge emphasized the need for accountability and ordered her to repay the victims. Many families suffered significant distress due to her fraudulent actions, including dealing with the Quebec Revenue Agency. El Boukhari faces additional prison time if she fails to fulfill her restitution obligation within three years.
Daycare Owner Sentenced for Fraudulent Activities
A daycare owner who deceived parents out of tens of thousands of dollars has been sentenced to one year in prison, receiving no sympathy from the judge. In addition to her prison term, she is required to reimburse her victims a total of $70,000.
Victims Respond to the Sentencing
During the court proceedings, Fatima El Boukhari, 49, expressed her frustration, stating, “I have children! It’s unfair! Are we in Quebec?” Judge Salvatore Mascia responded firmly, indicating that she should have considered the consequences of her actions before committing the fraud.
A victim present in the courtroom remarked, “yes, we are in Quebec,” emphasizing that it was precisely this context that warranted the fraudster’s punishment.
El Boukhari had hoped for leniency despite her actions between 2016 and 2022 at her daycare, Aux coins des ami(e)s, located on Hochelaga Street. Although she operated a private facility, she misled parents into believing it was subsidized by the government, causing them to believe their daily childcare costs would only be $8, while the actual amount was $48.
To further her deceit, she submitted fraudulent tax credit applications using the parents’ names, ensuring they remained unaware of the scam.
The consequences of her actions were severe, with El Boukhari defrauding nine families of nearly $70,000. Many victims faced significant distress as they dealt with the Quebec Revenue Agency, which demanded reimbursements based on the fraudulent applications. One victim recounted the devastation this caused, stating she had to abandon her aspirations of creating a better life for her two-year-old child.
Another mother found her bank accounts frozen, leaving her unable to provide for her children. The judge noted the lack of empathy El Boukhari displayed towards her victims, as she continued to blame them for her predicament.
El Boukhari even attempted to portray herself as a victim, claiming she merely wanted to “live in peace” with her children and expressed her discontent over alleged racist comments following the case’s media attention. In her testimony, she lamented her inability to afford a new car, stating, “I don’t have enough money to have a new car, but my car is from 2012.”
Despite her claims of financial hardship and her request to serve her sentence at home to care for her children, the judge deemed her crimes too serious for such leniency. “The crime does not pay,” he reinforced, highlighting the importance of accountability.
El Boukhari was ordered to make restitution to her victims, totaling $69,744, and she has three years to fulfill this obligation. Should she fail to comply, she faces an additional 18 months in prison, underscoring the judicial commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay.