'This sticks with you for good': Businessmen swindled out of $36K by Michelle Gushue
NewLab Oxygen in Mount Pearl took the biggest financial hit of the four businesses defrauded
After 15 trips to the provincial courthouse in St. John's, the owners of a local company have closed a chapter in an unfortunate period of their careers.
Art Garland and Sean Kearsey, co-owners of NewLab Oxygen — an industrial gas company based in Mount Pearl — sat in on former employee Michelle Gushue's sentencing Wednesday morning.
Part of the injustice here, from my point of view, is that it went on for 22 months after she defrauded our company.- Art Garland, co-owner of NewLab Oxygen
Garland and Kearsey were two of a series of people swindled out of money by Gushue.
"We are just glad this day has finally come," Kearsey told reporters after Gushue was handed a three year sentence.
Trust is gone
"It's been 20 months and 15 trips back and forth to court. I think the business community of St. John's and region [is] a safer place today," said Kearsey.
Gushue said she has bipolar disorder and was taken off medication prior to committing some of the frauds.
In total, four companies and one individual were taken for more than $63,000.
"This sticks with you for good. It's just a general distrust of people now," he said.
Gushue, who was in a position of trust with NewLab Oxygen, left the company struggling financially and shook the trust of its owners.
"Part of the injustice here, from my point of view, is that it went on for 22 months after she defrauded our company," Garland said.
"It went on for 22 months and allowed her to be on the street, and allowed her to do this to three, four companies after us."
Judge David Orr ordered Gushue to pay restitution, but the men said it's unknown whether or not they'll ever get their money back.
As for Gushue, who has a 40-page criminal record and past convictions for fraud, both men said they hope she gets rehabilitation.
"We have a heart as well," Garland said.
"And let's hope she gets the help she needs while she is off the street."