Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ontario recovers $11M in alleged COVID fraud

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jan, 2021 01:08 AM
  • Ontario recovers $11M in alleged COVID fraud

A former senior employee with the Ontario government has repaid more than $11 million in COVID-19 benefits the province alleges he took fraudulently, his lawyer said on Friday.

The unproven civil claim named Sanjay Madan, who had a senior IT role and helped develop the computer application for applying and approving the benefit for families with children.

In a brief statement, Madan's lawyer Christopher Du Vernet confirmed his client had made the repayment.

"In fact, the province has recovered in excess of the funds it presently alleges Mr. Madan took from the Families Support Program," Du Vernet said.

"However, it is also seeking its legal costs, interest and punitive damages, so the action continues."

In its untested lawsuit filed last fall, the province alleged Madan, his wife and two adult children who all worked for the Ontario government in information technology defrauded the province of at least $11 million.

The civil claim, which also sought $2 million in punitive damages, accused them and others of illegally issuing and banking cheques under the program that aimed to defray the cost of children learning at home.

"The Madan family exploited their positions of employment with Ontario and unique access to the (program) and payment processing system," the government alleged in the claim. "The plaintiff was uniquely vulnerable to Sanjay, particularly with respect to the integrity of the...application."

The Ministry of the Attorney General did not immediately confirm the recovered money, first reported by the Toronto Star.

Du Vernet said his client "deeply regrets" his actions and was awaiting results of medical opinions on his condition.

According to the lawsuit, Madan and his family opened more than 400 accounts at the Bank of Montreal between April and May. They then deposited around 10,000 cheques made out to fictitious applicants with thousands of non-existent children under the support program.

Most deposits were made over a four-week period starting on May 25, coinciding with a rule change that allowed more than five payments to be made to an applicant. The government alleges Madan either sparked the rule change or knew about it and took advantage.

In other court filings, Madan is said to have told the government that he could explain "all of this" and that he has "helped many families."

The government had served notice it intended to seize any money the family allegedly obtained fraudulently and obtained a court order to have their bank accounts turned over to the court pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

The government also obtained a court order freezing the family's assets, which included a list of properties in Toronto.

Madan was fired in November.

MORE National ARTICLES

Plane that crashed into B.C. river hit power lines

Plane that crashed into B.C. river hit power lines
The Cessna 172M left Boundary Bay Airport on June 6 with two men aboard, an instructor and his student.

Plane that crashed into B.C. river hit power lines

Doctors, nurses, paramedics waiting to vaccinate

Doctors, nurses, paramedics waiting to vaccinate
The former clinical nurse specialist now assists nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers integrate virtual care into their practices at a clinic in New Westminster, B.C.

Doctors, nurses, paramedics waiting to vaccinate

Drugs and cash found in secret compartment: Surrey RCMP

Drugs and cash found in secret compartment: Surrey RCMP
A hidden compartment was located inside the vehicle and several items were found inside including approximately $10,000 cash, and approximately 1 ounce of suspected cocaine.

Drugs and cash found in secret compartment: Surrey RCMP

Vancouver Police looking for witnesses in an East Vancouver ttack

Vancouver Police looking for witnesses in an East Vancouver ttack
Police were called by a witness for two men who were engaged in a physical altercation just after 2 a.m. on January 5 in in front of 769 East Hastings Street. During the altercation, the victim was stabbed by the suspect.

Vancouver Police looking for witnesses in an East Vancouver ttack

Snowbirds rush to vaccinate in Florida

Snowbirds rush to vaccinate in Florida
More than 329,000 people in Florida have already received their first doses, compared to fewer than 206,000 doses administered across Canada as of Thursday.

Snowbirds rush to vaccinate in Florida

Canada pushes back on U.S. solar product tariffs

Canada pushes back on U.S. solar product tariffs
The tariffs were imposed in 2018 and the federal government says they have caused Canadian exports of solar products to the U.S. to fall by up to 82 per cent.

Canada pushes back on U.S. solar product tariffs