A former Edmonton police employee will go to jail for 12 months after defrauding a police youth program.

According to a statement of facts, Jerke was hired in 2003 to help run police youth programs. Jerke began submitting fake receipts in 2009 and received $84,619.93 over a two-year period.

In 2011, a volunteer began to suspect that some of the receipts were altered or forged and took her concerns to police.

Jerke was fired from the city police after the fraud was discovered.

The court document states that Jerke spent the money at casinos and on VLTs, and has admitted to having a gambling problem.

Jerke was also ordered to pay restitution for the full amount.