Former Norwich retirement home worker pleads guilty to fraud

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

A former employee of the now shuttered Trillium Care Retirement Home in Norwich is scheduled to be sentenced in April.

Court documents obtained by the Echo show Julie Vitias has pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 under Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code. A judge will hand down the sentence, which carries a maximum of 14 years in prison.

There is no mandatory minimum sentence, but other options include probation, a fine, and restitution. The judge will take into consideration the amount of money involved, whether there was a breach of trust, the offender’s criminal history, and the impact on victims.

The now 51-year-old Tillsonburg resident is charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 in February of 2025, following a six-month investigation by the Oxford OPP. Police found 26 people linked to Trillium Care Norwich had lost more than $190,000.

The Echo reached out to a former employee who talked with other former Trillium staff. We asked what their thoughts were on the upcoming sentencing. One way to describe the answer would be concern.

“As a group, we have spoken about these questions. The first one is a hard one. Yes, we are glad she is answering for what she has done. But how we feel about it will depend on whether she actually has any consequences. The families of our residents deserve answers, and (Vitias) should have to pay them back. The families need closure, and they deserve it.”

The statement added the group would not break confidentiality with family members of victimized residents they speak with. They added their biggest fear is Vitias won’t get a harsh enough sentence.

“We are concerned about her not actually facing the consequences she deserves. Those families deserve public acknowledgement and a public apology for what she has done to them. She should have to reimburse them. And serve some time. Let her see what it's like to live under someone's control.”

According to reporting and allegations from family members of residents, families were instructed to pay monthly fees via e-transfer. Instead of using an official company email, payments were allegedly sent to a personal email associated with Vitias. Families said they did not receive receipts or proper lease documentation.

The Echo was first alerted to potential wrongdoing at the home by Ingersoll resident Miranda Guitard, who is married to the grandson of a former Trillium resident. She said rent payments were made via e-transfer, but the payment was sent to a non-company address.

“I was very specific on every e-transfer I made. I would put a note for all the dollars I spent. The email she gave me was a Gmail, and I got a security question. She would fill in the answer and accept the money.”

She added at that time, any email address of any employee was a name followed by @trilliumcarecommunities.ca.

“I never got any receipts. When I look back at it, holy s@#t on me,” added Guitard.

Residents of a long-term care or retirement home are required to get income tax receipts at the end of the year for income tax purposes as well as monthly receipts following payment.

Vitias was removed from her position at the home in August of 2024 when police were notified and opened an investigation. Trillium closed on Nov. 11 of the same year and provided two weeks’ notice to 18 residents and families, giving them little time to find new accommodations and jobs. The company sent an email to residents saying a lack of financial resources to sustain daily operations was the cause.

Vitias is expected to be sentenced on April 14 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 2 at the Woodstock Courthouse at 415 Hunter Street. Several impact statements are expected to be delivered.