Angela MacKinnon apologized Tuesday for theft and fraud from AIDS PEI. (CBC)

Angela MacKinnon apologized during a sentencing hearing Tuesday for stealing from and defrauding AIDS PEI while she was working for the charity.

MacKinnon was the program co-ordinator at AIDS PEI from April 2005 to March 2008. Provincial court in Charlottetown heard Tuesday that during that time, she stole more than $80,000 from the group — approximately a quarter of the organization's total budget over that time.

MacKinnon used AIDS PEI cheques and credit cards in more than 100 separate transactions. The court heard that she used the money to pay for gas, groceries, liquor, home-heating fuel, online dating services, airline tickets and restaurant meals.

The 35-year-old woman stood in court and read a letter of apology, saying she had a problem with alcohol and that her life spiralled out of control.

MacKinnon said she feels ashamed and disgusted by what she did and is sorry she hurt people.

AIDS PEI said the theft has devastated the group and hurt its relationship with funding partners, donors and clients.

"It's difficult enough to live on a tiny island with HIV when there's so much stigma, so much discrimination surrounding your status," said Mark Hanlon, executive director of AIDS PEI. "It's complicated even more when you don't trust the people who are here to provide you with services."

Hanlon said the registered charity has seen fewer clients since word spread of the theft. Volunteers used to see two to three people a day; now, they see two to three people a week.

AIDS PEI is also financially responsible for MacKinnon's spending.

"I don't think we've seen the end of the financial troubles just yet," said Hanlon. "I know that we're doing much better thanks to some good budgeting and some good resource development, but we still have a ways to go.

"Every time we turn a corner, it seems as though we've run into something else that wasn't done properly."

MacKinnon pleaded guilty to theft and fraud over $5,000 in August.

Crown attorney John McMillan said saying sorry was "too little, too late" and argued that MacKinnon should be sentenced to six to nine months in jail. He also asked the court to order MacKinnon to pay back all the money she took.

The defence recommended house arrest and pointed out that MacKinnon had apologized and she has two children to look after.

MacKinnon will be sentenced Dec. 15.