Karima Manji, seen in a police mugshot from 2015, after being convicted of defrauding her then employer, the March of Dimes Non-Profit Housing Corporation. Manji is about to be sentenced again, this time for the Inuit identity fraud she carried out to get her twin daughters scholarships and business opportunities only available to Inuit. Her sentencing will be read on Thursday morning. Photo Courtesy: Toronto Police Service
Sentencing for Karima Manji, a mother who fraudulently registered her daughters Amira and Nadya Gill as Inuit, has been delayed until Thursday.
Manji pleaded guilty to defrauding Inuit groups in February.
The Crown is asking for a sentence between 18 months and two years. Her defence is arguing for a sentence between nine to 12 months.
Amira and Nadya, who are twins, collected numerous bursaries and scholarships directed toward Indigenous students, including Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures program, Hydro One’s Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Scholarship and RBC’s Aboriginal Student Awards Program.
They also received thousands of dollars from Kakivak Association, according to Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., a group that “ensures that promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out.”
According to a statement of facts in the fraud case, “Karima Manji sent the enrolment forms to NTI. The Community Enrolment Committee approved the applications for both Amira and Nadya, in May 2016 and October 2016, respectively.”
“From September 2020 to March 2023, the total amount paid out to Nadya and Amira Gill was $158,254.05,” it said.
“A further $64,413 was on hold for Amira Gill in the spring of 2023, but was not paid out.”
The twins were each facing two counts of fraud over $5,000, but in court in February the Crown attorney read an agreed statement of facts that said neither girl knew about their “fraudulent” Inuit status. The statement also confirmed the twins did not have an Inuk parent.
Manji entered a guilty plea of fraud over $5,000 on Feb. 9, 2024.
The sentencing hearing wrapped up Monday in Iqaluit, with the parties presenting their final arguments and evidence related to the punishment.
“It is not unusual for a judge to have a short reserve (period) after hearing sentencing submissions to consider the submissions before issuing a decision,” said executive legal officerMark Mossey from the Department of Justice in Nunavut.
The court will hear the sentence for Manji at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
