Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, March 26, 2007

NORMAN WELLS - A former office manager of the Norman Wells Housing Association has been charged with theft over $5,000, and is scheduled to appear in court April 16.

Joan Hickling, 49, declined to discuss the case with News/North.

However, an RCMP press release said she has been charged in connection to some missing money, which is believed to have been misappropriated between April 2002 and June 2006.

The missing funds are from the Norman Wells Housing Authority.

While the exact amount has not been released, Yellowknife RCMP Cpl. Scott MacPherson, with the G division commercial crime unit, confirmed it is "a substantial amount over $5,000."

Hickling has been summoned to attend court in Norman Wells.

The maximum allowable sentence for this criminal code violation is 10 years imprisonment.