The former chair of the Discovery Passage School Parent Advisory Council and her husband, who are accused of embezzling funds raised for the school, had their first court appearance Monday rescheduled.
Doug Marion, defence lawyer for Jessica Taylor, and James Hormoth, counsel for Neil Taylor, requested the couple’s court date be changed to Monday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m.
The Taylors are each facing one count of fraud over $5,000 and one count of theft over $5,000 and are accused of stealing the money from the small school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) between Dec. 1, 2010 and Jan. 31, 2012.
Jessica served as chair of the small school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) during the 2011/12 school year and as treasurer in 2011 while Neil filled the role of treasurer in 2011/12.
Staff Sgt. Troy Beauregard of the Campbell River RCMP said police got involved in late January 2012 following a complaint from the PAC.
A report was submitted to Crown counsel in May 2012 and the Taylors were charged on Nov. 9.
Jessica spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for a new playground for Discovery Passage after the school’s wooden climber was torn down by School District 72 because of safety concerns.
Jessica approached the Mirror in February 2011 looking for financial support from the community.
“We are asking for cash donations by any companies, local residents – anyone who is able to help us out,” she said earlier this year.