John Howard Society meets with N.W.T. justice department after fraudster resigns

The John Howard Society of the Northwest Territories says it's working with the justice department to get back on track after losing two members in two weeks.

Meda Shannahan resigned from the society's board of directors Nov. 25 after pleading guilty to fraud of more than $5,000. That resignation came just a week after the board fired executive director Lydia Bardak.

• Guilty fraudster resigns from John Howard Society's board
• 'I was stunned': Yellowknife reacts to sudden firing of John Howard Society director

The local John Howard Society is part of a network of 65 offices across Canada whose mission is to provide various kinds of rehabilitative andreintegrativeservices to people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.

On Monday, BradCarlson, chair of the local chaptertold CBC News it was taking steps to get back to normal.

Those steps included appointing three new board members at a special meeting on Sunday and beginning a search for a new executive director.

"We've had a good meeting with the Department of Justice," Carlson said.

Carlsonsaid service disruptions would be kept to a minimum and services should be available for those who need them.

But a meeting of the Yellowknife Community Justice Committee, which deals with people diverted away from the traditional court system,scheduled for Wednesdayis likely to be cancelled.That doesn't sit well with Lynn Brooks, a member of the committee.

She said she's not satisfied with how the society handled Bardak's firing and the subsequent steps taken by the society.

"I have a hearing or I'm supposed to have a hearing scheduled for Wednesday. I'm going to go and see if it's locked up or if anything has happened," Brooks said.

"After that I'm going to contact the funders[of the John Howard Society] and ask them, 'What are you doing?'"