Scott Crabbe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 26/00) - The former executive director of Mackenzie Court Workers Services remains in police custody after pleading guilty Friday to charges of theft and failing to appear in court.

Arthur Durocher, 40, was charged last September for theft under $5,000 and forging documents. The charges stemmed from a two-month police investigation following complaints from the GNWT after an internal audit was done of Durocher's files.

A territorial court appearance was originally set for October 26, however, Durocher failed to appear.

Police immediately issued an arrest warrant and he was located and arrested earlier this month in Saskatoon, Sask.

Durocher, a lawyer, who had practiced in Saskatchewan, was hired as executive director for the court workers in May 1997.

He was forced to resign the position on Feb. 11, 1998 after his membership to the NWT Bar was rejected following a bad reference from the Saskatchewan Bar Association. Upon leaving, Durocher, who had accumulated a personnel debt to the court workers of about $4,200, agreed with his employer in writing to pay back the money.

Crown Prosecutor John O'Holloran stated that as executive director, Mr. Durocher was familiar with policy regarding advances for personal needs, but failed to follow the policy.

"He negotiated loans and borrowed from petty cash using I.O.U.s," O'Holloran said.

"It's indicated that there's been no effort on Mr. Durocher's behalf to pay back the debt other than assigning his wages owed to him."

Following the audit, it was also discovered that Durocher had on six occasions deposited cheques totalling $1,010 into his account that didn't belong to him.

Durocher, after pleading guilty to his theft charge Friday admitted that he had taken the cheques without permission, and forged the signatures of co-workers before endorsing them and depositing them into his personal bank account.

In total, Durocher accumulated a debt of about $6,700 in a nine-month period.

Durocher's defence lawyer, Andrew Mahar, argued that had Durocher acted in premeditated greed, the court could consider a strict sentencing. However, he stressed Durocher's actions were a result of desperation.

Durocher told the court at the time he was suffering from severe depression and cocaine abuse.

"I am very remorseful for what I did," Durocher said.

"I would like to reiterate that I was going through a rough period of time."

Judge Brian Bruser ruled that he would need time to evaluate and assess the situation before he could address sentencing.

Durocher will remain in police custody until his next court appearance on Feb. 8.