Manitoba man given house arrest for fishing tournament fraud [Video]

A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.

Christian Lillyman and his partner were arrested and charged in December 2022 after more than $13,000 was not paid to the foundation.

According to details shared in court on Thursday, Lillyman had reached out to the foundation in January 2021, with the plan to host a fishing derby and the money raised would go to the foundation.

The Full Tilt Winter Walleye Tournament had 492 people register and more than $22,000 was collected in entry fees.

Once the tournament ended, more than $9,000 was awarded as prize money, with the remaining roughly $13,000 supposed to go to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba – but the money never came.

“The people working at the foundation have a sincere …