Public Works bureaucrat charged with
$2.7M in fraud
by Romeo St. Martin
[PoliticsWatch updated 1:20 p.m., September 25, 2007]
|
The Public Works and Government Services
office tower in Gatineau, Quebec. |
OTTAWA -- A bureaucrat with the department of Public Works and Government Services was charged on September 24 with defrauding the government of $2.7 million.
Public Works is the department where the sponsorship scandal originated.
Bureaucrat Alain Gagnon allegedly began his scam in September 1996, at about the same time what became the sponsorship program began. However, Gagnon's activities continued until September of 2007, according to
the RCMP.
Gagnon has been charged with breach of trust and fraud over $5,000.
Police also seized $850,000 of Gagnon's property that was "directly or indirectly derived from his alleged offences."
This includes
- a $400,000 Quebec suburban home
- seven vehicles, including a BMW Mini Cooper, valued at $125,000
- bank accounts containing $300,000
- an investment fund worth $60,000
The RCMP has not commented on how Gagnon allegedly committed fraud. The Globe and Mail reported that Gagnon
allegedly "issued fake cheques and approved fraudulent reimbursement claims."
Gagnon worked as a financial officer at Public Works.
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