Yellowknife (Mar 10/06) - A Yellowknife bowling association is outraged after its former president defrauded the group of more than $26,000 last year.

Lorraine Gagnon, president of the Yellowknife Zone Five Pin Bowlers' Association, said she was shocked after discovering that former president Chris Noftle stole more than $26,000. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Robert Christopher Noftle made off with the money after cashing cheques belonging to the Yellowknife Zone Five Pin Bowlers' Association over a five-month period, between March and August 2005.

Current president Lorraine Gagnon said he was caught after she checked up on the association's financial records prior to making a run for the presidency last August.

She was concerned after learning that the association owed the NWT Five Pin Bowlers' Association about $10,000 and wondered why it hadn't been paid. "As soon as we started getting the information from the bank, the bank knew right away that something was up," said Gagnon.

She was shocked to discover that Noftle was cashing cheques to himself - some of them for plane trips to places like Penticton, B.C., to play in a dart tournament, and another for a visit to Newfoundland.

Noftle pleaded guilty in territorial court to one count of theft and another for fraud on Feb. 23.

Judge Brian Bruser ordered him to pay back $26,803.99 in $500 instalments every month until the money has been re-paid. He also handed down a 15-month conditional sentence plus two-years probation. Noftle will spend the first six months under house arrest. He has also been ordered to perform 120 hours community service and avoid any employment that involves handling money.

Noftle was made interim president in November 2004 and carried on until the theft was discovered the following August.

The association's treasurer at the time, who Gagnon said unwittingly signed cheques over to Noftle, has been barred from future tournaments held by the association, but was not implicated in the crime.

She said while the 100-member-strong group isn't in any financial trouble as a result of the thefts, "It definitely put a big dent in our bank account."

Money is raised for the association mainly through bingos, said Gagnon.

It is used to pay for tournaments and coaching clinics. Money is also paid to the NWT association to pay for tournaments outside the city.

Helen Lawson, who has since taken over the treasury position, called Noftle's crime "inexcusable."

"It's about as low as one can get," said Lawson.

She only hopes now that the money will be repaid.

"Who knows. He's supposed to start in April," said Lawson.

"Right at this point, we just have to wait and see."

Noftle said he does intend to pay the money back.

He also expressed regret for what he did. "I'm sorry for any undue stress I caused the association, the people involved and the community," said Noftle. "I'll be paying back the money as soon as possible."