Robert Konashewych: The Real Estate Of Heinz Sommerfeld

Robert Konashewych, a former Toronto police officer, became embroiled in a complex case of fraud that shook the foundations of trust within the Toronto community. The case centered around the estate of Heinz Sommerfeld, a reclusive man with dementia and no contact with his immediate family. Sommerfeld's vulnerability made his estate a target for exploitation, leading to a series of events that would uncover a web of fraud involving Konashewych and his accomplice, Adellene Balgobin. Heinz Sommerfeld lived a quiet life, marked by his dedication to his job as a draftsman and his love for his nieces and nephews. However, as he aged, Sommerfeld developed dementia, which led to his isolation and eventual estrangement from his family. In 2008, his

Konashewych, who had a lavish lifestyle and significant debt, saw an opportunity in Sommerfeld's estate. Together, Konashewych and Balgobin fabricated a will that would grant them access to Sommerfeld's $834,000 estate. The fraudulent scheme began to unravel when Candice Dixon, Konashewych's former spouse, inadvertently opened a letter addressed to the Estate of Heinz Sommerfeld. The letter, which sought outstanding fees from the estate, was among a "binder full" of documents that Dixon later provided to the Toronto Police Service. This act, though unintentional, led to a breach of solicitor-client privilege and set off a chain of events that would expose the

Konashewych was simultaneously involved in a secret relationship with Dixon, adding a layer of complexity to the case. Despite Balgobin's discovery of Konashewych's infidelity, she chose to stay with him, further entangling herself in the fraudulent scheme. The legal proceedings that followed were marked by a series of challenges, including Konashewych's appeal arguing that his Section 7 and 8 rights were violated during the investigation. He claimed that the seizure of the letter from Dixon constituted a breach of solicitor-client privilege. However, the court dismissed the appeal, noting that Dixon was unaware of the contents of the letter before opening it and that it was her responsibility to check the addressee before doing so. The case concluded with the conviction of Robert Konashewych and Adellene Balgobin for their roles in fabricating the will and fraudulently claiming Sommerfeld's estate. They were sentenced to seven years in prison, a sentence that reflected the gravity of their actions and the betrayal of trust they had