NORTH BAY — For the second time in less than one year, the court has issued a bench warrant for a North Bay woman charged with attempting to defraud the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation out of $70 million.
Sonya Deering had since made at least one virtual court appearance this spring, asking the judge for more time to find a lawyer. She was scheduled to appear on June 18.
See related: Bench warrant issued for local woman in fake lottery ticket case
A bench warrant was also issued for Sonya Deering, then 33, when she did not appear and was not represented in the Ontario Court of Justice for her scheduled appearance on Sept. 5, 2023.
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 also: Claim for $70 million dollar Lotto Max prize false. Local woman charged
Deering made news in 2023 when investigators found she made a false claim for a $70-million Lotto Max prize. None of the charges have been proven in a court of law.
Acting on the suspicions of the OLG Corporate Investigations, on July 17, 2023, 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 Lotto Max prize.
On Aug. 9, 2023, 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, 2023.
