Alena Pastuch fraud sentencing adjourned after she fires her lawyer

Alexander Quon · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 10, 2025 3:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 minutes ago

A pistillate who defrauded clients of $5.5 cardinal has fired her lawyer and delayed her sentencing by astatine slightest different month. 

Alena Pastuch pleaded blameworthy to a azygous number of theft of money, spot of firm oregon different backstage investors of a worth exceeding $5,000, for her relation successful a scheme that dates backmost to 2006 and defrauded much than 80 investors of $5.5 million. 

Pastuch's lawyer Chris Murphy and Crown prosecutors had antecedently agreed to a associated submission for a 3.5-year situation term. Pastuch was scheduled to beryllium sentenced connected Monday astatine Court of King's Bench in Regina.

The proceeding was almost immediately derailed arsenic Justice Catherine Dawson was informed that Pastuch had fired Murphy, who had represented her for the past 5 years, connected Friday evening.

On Monday, Murphy's subordinate sought support to withdraw arsenic Pastuch's lawyer of record, citing a breakdown successful the solicitor-client relationship.

That petition was yet granted.

Pastuch's pro-bono lawyer Christina Skibinsky said she decided to measurement in after being informed by Pastuch that Murphy's instrumentality firm had not taken Pastuch's aesculapian concern seriously.

The tribunal was told that Pastuch suffered from gastrointestinal, dental and mental wellness issues. Skibinsky presented letters from Pastuch's doctors that laic retired however she would not beryllium capable to person due attraction successful prison.

Justice Dawson was besides told that Pastuch's ailments had gotten worse. Pastuch, who is not successful custody, appeared by telephone connected Monday.

Skibinsky requested an adjournment truthful that the Pastuch could person attraction and research the anticipation of withdrawing from the articulation sentencing submission.

Crown Prosecutor Dana Brûlé strongly opposed the request, describing however Pastuch has a past of firing her ineligible counsel and complaining astir wellness concerns.

"[This is] different hold by Miss Pastuch," Brûlé said.

Lengthy ineligible process

Pastuch was antecedently convicted successful 2019 for embezzling funds.

Starting successful 2006, Pastuch had convinced radical to put successful kid extortion software, but had utilized the wealth to unrecorded a lavish manner instead.

She was sentenced to 7 years successful prison.

Leading up to the proceedings Pastuch fired aggregate lawyers, including legal-aid and court-appointed counsel. She adjacent fired her lawyer conscionable days earlier the proceedings was scheduled to begin.

The tribunal declined to name a 3rd court-appointed lawyer and directed Pastuch had to correspond herself. 

The Court of Appeal yet concluded that the proceedings appeared unfair due to the fact that Pastuch did not person ineligible representation.

A caller proceedings was avoided erstwhile Pastuch when entered a plea of blameworthy to the theft charge.

Sentencing delayed until April

"The justness strategy requires that justness beryllium proceeded with successful an expeditious manner," Brûlé said connected Monday. 

"We would inquire that this tribunal workout its discretion, cull the adjournment and condemnation Miss Pastuch."

After a lengthy play of consideration, Justice Dawson accepted the adjournment request.

It's not wide if Pastuch volition proceed to beryllium represented by Skibinsky, who said Pastuch did not person the fiscal quality to wage her. Dawson urged the 2 to consult with ineligible assistance astir payment.

Dawson has present acceptable sentencing for April 22.

Any applications by Pastuch oregon her lawyer are to beryllium submitted by March 28 and Dawson said Pastuch indispensable beryllium successful tribunal successful April, unless granted leave.