Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Port Coquitlam Fires Staff In Alleged $75,000 Copper Theft Scheme: City

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Jul, 2018 12:41 PM
  • Port Coquitlam Fires Staff In Alleged $75,000 Copper Theft Scheme: City
PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. — The City of Port Coquitlam says it has fired seven employees involved in a "highly co-ordinated" copper theft scheme that lasted over a decade and cost taxpayers more than $75,000.
 
 
Chief administrative officer John Leeburn says the plan involved the deliberate, covert theft and sale of copper pipes, the majority of which were new pipes destined for installation underground.
 
 
He alleges employees pocketed about $75,000 overall from a scrap metal dealer, with individual employees receiving cash amounts ranging from less than $100 to $10,000.
 
 
But he adds the amount is a conservative estimate and the Metro Vancouver city originally paid much more for the pipes.
 
 
Leeburn says the city has been investigating the scheme involving several employees with the Public Works Department since late February.
 
 
He says the investigation is almost done and once it's fully complete, the information will be turned over to the RCMP.
 
 
The workers have been employed with the city ranging from one year to 21 years, he says.
 
 
About 500 people work for the city and those who have been there for decades know each other well, says Leeburn, adding he knows some who have been fired.
 
 
"There's shock, there's anger, there's compassion, there's dismay, there's confusion about how this could happen," he says.
 
 
"How could good people make such terrible decisions and repeatedly make those terrible decisions? I don't have an answer for that."
 
 
As for how the scheme could go on for 10 years without the city's knowledge, Leeburn says it was very "tightly held, not talked about."
 
 
The dismissals come after another former Port Coquitlam employee was charged with theft last year. Dean McIntosh, a former facility maintenance co-ordinator, pleaded guilty to stealing about $175,000 from the city over a three-year period.
 
 
The city says in a statement that it implemented a number of measures after McIntosh was charged, including a whistle-blower policy in November. The policy aims to create a safe environment for staff to come forward with reports of internal misconduct.
 
 
Leeburn stresses that the employees' alleged actions don't reflect the character of the vast majority of city workers. 
 
 
"We have terrific people in this organization who provide terrific service to the community, and I really want to say to the people of Port Coquitlam: Have faith in us.
 
 
"Please don't let the actions of a small number who have made some bad decisions tarnish the great work that's being done."

MORE National ARTICLES

Fake Police 'Arrest' Vancouver Woman, Force Her To Deposit $6,000 In Latest Canada Revenue Scam

Fake Police 'Arrest' Vancouver Woman, Force Her To Deposit $6,000 In Latest Canada Revenue Scam
Vancouver police say there's a new twist on a Canada Revenue Agency scam they've been warning the public about and the swindle involves being arrested.

Fake Police 'Arrest' Vancouver Woman, Force Her To Deposit $6,000 In Latest Canada Revenue Scam

B.C. Government Intends To Crack Down On Hidden Ownership Of Real Estate

B.C. Government Intends To Crack Down On Hidden Ownership Of Real Estate
VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is taking steps to end opportunities to anonymously invest and hide wealth in real estate.

B.C. Government Intends To Crack Down On Hidden Ownership Of Real Estate

Toronto Police Strike Blow To Gang With Ties To The US And Caribbean: Chief

Toronto Police Strike Blow To Gang With Ties To The US And Caribbean: Chief
Toronto police say they've taken down a large portion of a street gang with international ties after an early morning raid that involved about 800 officers.

Toronto Police Strike Blow To Gang With Ties To The US And Caribbean: Chief

Death Of Man On Toronto Subway Tracks Puts Platform Barriers In Spotlight

Death Of Man On Toronto Subway Tracks Puts Platform Barriers In Spotlight
Toronto's subway operator has reiterated its long-standing desire to build platform barriers that could prevent deaths such as one this week where a 73-year-old man was killed after allegedly being pushed in front of a moving train.

Death Of Man On Toronto Subway Tracks Puts Platform Barriers In Spotlight

Winemaker Norman Hardie Denies Some Misconduct Allegations, Says 'Many' Are True

Winemaker Norman Hardie Denies Some Misconduct Allegations, Says 'Many' Are True
Ontario winemaker Norman Hardie is disputing parts of a report detailing accusations of sexual misconduct against him, while admitting that "many" of the allegations are true.

Winemaker Norman Hardie Denies Some Misconduct Allegations, Says 'Many' Are True

B.C. Appeal Court Rules Lottery Winner Must Be Paid Back $600,000 Loan

B.C. Appeal Court Rules Lottery Winner Must Be Paid Back $600,000 Loan
A dispute over whether $600,000 was a loan or a gift from a lottery winner has been settled by the British Columbia Court of Appeal in favour of the gambler.

B.C. Appeal Court Rules Lottery Winner Must Be Paid Back $600,000 Loan