The former chief executive of Stoney Health Services is heading to jail for defrauding the Stoney Nakoda Nation of more than $450,000 under a bogus billing scheme.

Ellis Quarshie, 72, pleaded guilty to trust fraud last December and has been sentenced to serve two-year, four-month in jail and ordered to pay full restitution of $455,670.

Quarshie created the fake company, Uxbridge Group, and produced dozens of false invoices for services that were never delivered between 2008 and 2016.

In his written sentence, Provincial Court Judge Michael Dinkel called Quarshie's actions planned, deliberate and sophisticated.

A victim impact statement signed by all three chiefs of the Stoney Nakoda Nation expressed anger and a sense of betrayal at the financial loss. They said the money could have been used to support the health and welfare of band members.

In reaching his decision, Judge Dinkel took into account some of the money was used by Quarshie to assist his ailing son. although that happened after the fraud began. Quarshie's age was also a factor.

The maximum sentence for this offence is 14 years in jail.

Quarshie was employed by the Nation for 16 years as CEO and executive director of Stoney Health Services. He resigned in 2016 after his deception was uncovered. The criminal complaint was filed in 2019.