Former Baddeck official pleads guilty to theft

Megan Cooper, the former chief administrator of Baddeck, has avoided jail time after stealing nearly $19,500 from the village. She pleaded guilty to the theft and was granted a conditional discharge along with 18 months of probation. Additionally, she must repay the stolen money. Cooper, 38, worked for Baddeck for two years before being fired in 2021 due to issues such as unpaid contractors and missing financial reports. During her virtual sentencing, Cooper expressed remorse for her actions and apologized to the community she valued. Judge Peter Ross noted the negative impact of her actions on both Cooper and the village. As a consequence of her crime, Cooper not only lost her job, but also faced personal turmoil, including relationship issues and the challenge of being away from her children. Although Cooper's discharge means she will not have a criminal record, she must comply with specific probation requirements, including attending mental health and addiction counseling. At the time of the theft, Cooper struggled with alcohol addiction, but her lawyer reported that she has been sober for over two years and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous. The village faced financial challenges and damage to its reputation due to Cooper’s actions. After her departure, Baddeck had to confront a significant financial disarray that led to the provincial government intervening to help correct the issues. The village recently worked to recover from a budget deficit and sought insurance claims related to the financial losses caused by Cooper's misconduct.