Latest news with #legalAid
CBC
a day ago
- General
- CBC
St. John's housing advocate pleads guilty to fraud, but legal aid request delays sentencing
A St. John's housing advocate has pleaded guilty to fraud, but sentencing has been delayed after a last-minute request for legal aid services. In an agreed statement of facts, Michelle Voisey, also known as Michelle Gushue, admitted to creating an online Canada Revenue Agency account in her niece's name and applying for CERB, the federal financial support for Canadians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the statement of facts, Voisey's niece contacted police when her GST payment didn't arrive on time. She learned that $8,000 in CERB payments had been paid out in her name — even though she hadn't applied and didn't qualify for the benefit. Voisey was charged in October 2021, and pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 in March 2025. However, at her sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Justice Peter Browne agreed to delay sentencing while Voisey waits to find out if she's eligible for legal aid. According to Legal Aid lawyer Ben Curties, who spoke during the hearing, Voisey had called earlier in the day. Voisey told them she had received her tax return assessment and believed she now met the income threshold to apply for representation. Voisey also provided the court with a letter from a doctor who she says is finalizing a mental health diagnosis for her. "This should've been brought to the court's attention much earlier in the process," Browne said. Crown lawyer Kellie Cullihall unsuccessfully objected to the delay — the latest in a proceeding that has been ongoing for years. "It is nothing more than another delay tactic in a long line of delay tactics," Cullihall said. Cullihall confirmed that the Crown is "absolutely" seeking prison time for Voisey. Voisey has a lengthy criminal record, with about 50 convictions for fraud, theft, forgery and other crimes. In 2015, she was sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding four businesses and an individual. The statement of facts notes that her previous surnames are Gushue and Dodd, and Voisey is her married name. She was a central part of the 2023 tent city protest on Confederation Hill in St. John's. Under the name Michelle Gushue, she solicited donations of gift cards, cell phones, cash and more for people who lived at the site. As recently as May 2024, Voisey was featured in a Saltwire article about the now-defunct tent encampment in Bannerman Park. The pending case is unrelated to the tent city protest.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Truck driver (23) charged with smuggling two men through Rosslare port
A 23-year-old Romanian truck driver has been remanded in custody charged with smuggling two men through Rosslare Europort. Roberto Nickitean, described as a Romanian national, appeared before Judge John O'Leary at a special sitting of Wexford District Court on Saturday evening. Det Garda Stephen Burke, of Wexford Garda station, said he charged the accused. It is alleged Mr Nickitean intentionally assisted entry into, transit across or presence in the State at Rosslare Europort on May 30th. The charge alleges a breach of section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 and contravention of section 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021. Det Garda Burke told the court the accused made no reply when the charge was put to him. READ MORE Defence counsel Ross Pratt-O'Brien, instructed by solicitor Maria Murphy, made no application for bail on Saturday. Such an application would be made next Tuesday, he said. Judge O'Leary remanded the accused in custody to appear before Wexford District Court at 10.30am on Tuesday for a bail application. The accused was granted free legal aid and an interpreter. The truck driver was arrested in Wexford after gardaí and customs officials found two men hiding in a truck at Rosslare Europort on Friday morning. The discovery was made during an immigration check. The two men were assessed by medical staff.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Fury as sick Manchester terrorist granted £1,200 in taxpayers' cash for ‘discrimination' case after £354k legal aid bill
MANCHESTER Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi was granted more than £1,200 in taxpayers' cash to launch an equal rights case in jail. The sum went to his lawyers for a complaint of religious discrimination. 3 3 It has been added to a huge legal aid bill to fund his trial defence — even though he refused to take part in the court process. Figures disclosed under a Freedom of Information request show the total now stands at £354,015. Prison bosses also had to instruct their own lawyers before the latest wholly unjustified claim was discontinued. Tory Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: 'This is just another outrageous example of taxpayers' money being wasted on a convicted mass killer.' The claim was made before Abedi, 28, seriously wounded prison guards in a stabbing and scalding oil attack at HMP Frankland, Co Durham, last month. He was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 55 years for helping his suicide bomber brother Salman kill 22 Ariana Grande fans in 2017. In 2022 he was given another three years and ten months for attacking two officers at Belmarsh Prison in South East London. Manchester terrorist Hashem Abedi leaves prison in van after sick knife & boiling oil attack on 3 prison officers 3
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
Ministry of Justice cyberattack: What data was stolen and what to do next
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) was hit by a massive cyberattack that is thought to have stolen millions of pieces of personal data from legal aid applicants. The national insurance numbers, criminal records, employment status and other personal data of Legal Aid Agency applicants were breached earlier this year, according to the government department. The government became aware of a cyberattack on the Legal Aid Agency's online digital services on 23 April, but realised on Friday that it was more extensive than originally thought. Here, The Independent takes a closer look at the type of data stolen and what applicants should do if they suspect their information could have been leaked. What kind of data has been stolen? The group behind the cyberattack said it stole 2.1m pieces of data from legal aid applicants who have used the Legal Aid Agency's online service since 2010. The stolen information could include contacts' details and addresses, dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and debts, according to the MoJ. What to do if your data has been stolen Although it is hard to know if your data has been breached, the MoJ has urged all legal aid applicants to take steps to 'safeguard themselves'. It said applicants should be alert for any suspicious activity, including unknown messages or phone calls, and update any potentially exposed passwords. The department also said applicants should take extra care when providing information to people over the phone or online, and to verify their identity independently. What is the MoJ doing about the cyberattack? Jane Harbottle, chief executive officer of the Legal Aid Agency, apologised for the breach and said the service had been taken down. 'We have put in place the necessary contingency plans to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time,' she said. The MoJ said it was working with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre to investigate the attack.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Polio outbreak declared in Papua New Guinea
On the program today: Legal aid groups in Timor Leste are calling for the country's president to reject a proposal to pardon an American, former priest who's been convicted of abusing young children. Timor Opposition MP Nurima Alkatari says the government's proposal for a pardon for Richard Daschbach show a lack of empathy for his victims. Domestic violence and gender violence is an epidemic in the Pacific affecting women from all works of life, including leaders. One prominent Fijian MP is calling for change after being the subject of cyber bullying and harassment. The World Health Organisation has declared a polio out break in Papua New Guinea after two children were diagnosed with the disease. The victim of a horrific bashing in Vanuatu says he was shocked, confused and re-traumatised by the Vanuatu President's decision to reduce his attackers' sentences. In Tonga King Tupou VI has urged leaders to uphold truth and justice as Parliament wound up its business. As Pacific countries prepare for next months' United Nations Oceans Summit in France Vanuatu is leading the charge calling for greater action to protect the world's oceans. The players from Papua New Guinea's leading women's soccer team, Hekari United, will be on a mission this weekend when they play Auckland United in the OFC Women's Champions League final in Tahiti.
