WATCH: The mysterious case of former Olympic rower Harold Backer came to an end at the Victoria courthouse today. Backer switched his plea to guilty on one count of fraud over five-thousand dollars. He was sentenced to jail time and ordered to pay back his victims. But as April Lawrence reports, where he vanished to for a year-and-a-half remains a mystery that may never be solved.
A former Candian Olympic rower has pleaded guilty to fraud, changing his plea in Victoria provincial court Wednesday.
Harold Backer, who had previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000.
Former Olympian Harold Backer pleading guilty today to one count of fraud over $5000. Joint submission for 13 months jail and total of $161,900 in restitution @CHEK_News
— April Lawrence (@AprilCHEK) July 4, 2018
He was been sentenced to 13 months in jail and three years probation for one count of fraud over $5,000. He was given credit for one month already served.
Fifty-five-year-old Backer competed for Canada at the 1984, ’88 and ’92 Olympic Games and was a mutual fund salesman.
He mysteriously disappeared Nov. 3, 2015, after telling his family he was going out for a bike ride but did not turn up again until April 2017 when he surrendered to police.
Financial crime investigators looked into Backer and the company My Financial Backer Corp. after his disappearance following concerning letters received by his investors.
Backer was scheduled to go to trial in September.
Harold Backer, 55, has pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000. Backer, a former Canadian Olympic rower, changed his plea in an appearance in Victoria Provincial Court Wednesday. File photo.
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