Regina Woman Surrenders to Begin Prison Term Following Judicial Ruling
Alena Marie Pastuch, a 60-year-old Regina resident, turned herself in to local police on Friday to commence serving a prison sentence. This action followed a decisive ruling from Saskatchewan's highest judicial authority that denied her request for bail pending an appeal.
Fraud Conviction and Sentencing Details
Pastuch had previously pleaded guilty to theft exceeding $5,000, specifically admitting to stealing $4,940,218 from private and corporate investors between April 1, 2006 and January 1, 2013. Court of King's Bench Justice Catherine Dawson sentenced her to three-and-a-half years in prison on Tuesday, with a requirement to surrender by Friday to begin serving the remaining two years of her term.
Failed Bail Application Before Top Judge
Following her sentencing, Pastuch attempted to secure permission from Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Chief Justice Robert Leurer to remain on bail while awaiting her appeal. This effort proved unsuccessful when Justice Leurer declared Friday morning that "there will not be an order made for the release of Ms. Pastuch, and the order of Justice Dawson therefore stands."
The judge emphasized that "she'll have to act accordingly," confirming that Pastuch must comply with the original surrender order. Her defense lawyer, Christina Skibinsky, acknowledged accepting the Crown's position that the law doesn't accommodate the type of interim bail order Pastuch had initially sought.
Legal Background and Appeal Process
Pastuch's legal journey has been complex:
- She was first charged in 2014 with no previous criminal record
- Convicted of fraud following a 2019 trial where she represented herself
- The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, finding she shouldn't have had to represent herself after parting with multiple lawyers
- Before her second trial began, she pleaded guilty and agreed to the three-and-a-half year sentence
- She then fired her lawyer before sentencing
Through her subsequent lawyer, Pastuch pursued various legal motions before settling on a request to have all court proceedings following her initial appeal - including her guilty plea - declared a "nullity" (legally invalid). Justice Dawson dismissed this motion on Tuesday while imposing the sentence.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Despite beginning her prison term, Pastuch continues her legal fight. She has filed an appeal of Justice Dawson's decision to dismiss her nullity motion, asserting the judge made errors in her ruling. Defense lawyer Skibinsky confirmed that Pastuch will persist in efforts to obtain bail while awaiting the appeal decision.
Justice Leurer indicated that Saskatchewan's highest court would cooperate with legal counsel to ensure Pastuch's bail hearing could proceed promptly once proper procedures are followed. This case represents another chapter in a prolonged legal battle that has spanned nearly a decade since the initial charges were filed.
