The legal entanglements continue for a North Bay woman who made news when she was charged this past summer with attempting to defraud the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation out of $70 million.
The OPP confirms a bench warrant has been issued for Sonya Deering, 33, of North Bay. Court documents show Deering did not appear and was not represented in the Ontario Court of Justice for her scheduled appearance on Sept. 5.
A bench warrant issued by a judge or justice of the peace authorizes the police to arrest a person who has failed to appear for criminal court and allows the subject to be detained until they make a court appearance.
See related: Claim for $70 million dollar Lotto Max prize false. Local woman charged
Acting on the suspicions of the OLG Corporate Investigations, on July 17 members of the Investigation and Enforcement Bureau attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a ticket submitted in an attempt to claim a $70 million dollar Lotto Max prize.
On Aug. 9, the OPP Investigation and Enforcement Bureau announced it had laid charges against Deering for falsely trying to claim the lottery prize.
The initial investigation resulted in the arrest and Criminal Code charges.
Deering was charged with:
- Attempted fraud over $5,000
- Forgery
- Utter a forged document
Deering was released from custody in August and was scheduled to appear (but did not) before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on Sept. 5
