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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A former Yellowknife deputy fire chief who stole more than $100,000 from the Vancouver Firefighters Concert and Marching Band Society has been given a one-year conditional sentence.

Jason Davidson, who pleaded guilty to theft over $5,000, must return to Yellowknife no later than April 7 to begin his house arrest on April 10, a provincial court judge in Vancouver ruled on Tuesday.

The court ordered Davidson, the city's deputy fire chief responsible for safety and training until his resignation in late March, not to leave his residence for the first four months of the sentence, except in the case of a medical emergency or for employment or education reasons. From months five to eight, he is under a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. In the final months of his sentence, he is under no curfew.

Davidson was also sentenced to 18 months probation after the conclusion of his one-year conditional sentence.

The City of Yellowknife accepted Davidson's resignation on March 27, said Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

"I had said (in the past) that he was accused and anticipated to be innocent until being proven guilty. Well, he's now admitted being guilty," said Van Tighem.

The mayor said he was unaware if Davidson would receive a compensation package from the city, and that those who would know would not be allowed to comment on it since it is a personnel issue.

"While he was here he did some great things," said Van Tighem, adding that Davidson was instrumental in many projects, including creating the firefighter training facility at the Yellowknife Airport.

"(He is) generally a good guy to have around, however he's got a little cloud hanging over him."

Between March 21, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2008, while serving as the Vancouver Firefighters Concert and Marching Band Society treasurer, Davidson took funds from the organization to make personal purchases.

These purchases included a $3,000 diamond engagement ring and lending himself $20,000 in band society funds to put toward his mortgage.

Between October 2003 and September 2008, he had made more than 100 cash withdrawals from a band society account totaling more than $25,000.

"The total funds involved were slightly over $102,143.15," said Neil MacKenzie, spokesperson for the Vancouver Crowns' office. "But some of that was paid back by Mr. Davidson into the band's accounts over the years."

Davidson agreed to repay the outstanding $66,285.84 after the sentencing hearing.

The Crown was seeking a one-year conditional sentence followed by two years' probation, plus a court order for Davidson to repay the outstanding funds taken from the band society.

The defence lawyer asked the court to consider a conditional discharge, which would not necessarily result in a criminal record, said Mac-Kenzie.

A conditional sentence does result in a criminal record and a criminal conviction, said MacKenzie.

A conditional discharge generally involves being put on a period of probation, and if the person complies successfully with the conditions that have been imposed while completing the probation, then the discharge at the end of the probationary period would become absolute, meaning no criminal record, MacKenzie added.

Davidson also faced one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of using a forged document. The Crown planned to stay those charges against Davidson upon sentencing for the theft, said MacKenzie.

• with files from Brent Mattson

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