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

Halifax Military Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault

HALIFAX — A Halifax-based military police officer has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault.

Halifax Military Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault

Indigenous Protesters In Washington Declare Trans Mountain Won't Be Built

Indigenous Protesters In Washington Declare Trans Mountain Won't Be Built
Cedar George-Parker remembers the moment he decided to devote his life to defending Indigenous people and their traditional territories.

Indigenous Protesters In Washington Declare Trans Mountain Won't Be Built

Spotted: Toronto Area Police Car Flying A 'Khalistan Flag'

Spotted: Toronto Area Police Car Flying A 'Khalistan Flag'
A Toronto-area police official was allegedly captured posing in front of an official vehicle with the ‘Khalistan’ flag mounted on top of it is receiving a severe backlash on Twitter.

Spotted: Toronto Area Police Car Flying A 'Khalistan Flag'

Surrey's Hidden Heroes Honoured At RCMP Awards Ceremony

Surrey's Hidden Heroes Honoured At RCMP Awards Ceremony
On Thursday, June 14th, the Surrey RCMP held its annual Officer in Charge Awards recognizing the valuable contributions of police officers, employees, and civilians for acts of bravery, outstanding service and dedication to public safety.

Surrey's Hidden Heroes Honoured At RCMP Awards Ceremony

Three Missing After Five Thrown Into Water Off Tofino, B.C., As Boat Sinks

Three Missing After Five Thrown Into Water Off Tofino, B.C., As Boat Sinks
A search is underway in the waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island after a small boat carrying five people went down early Friday.

Three Missing After Five Thrown Into Water Off Tofino, B.C., As Boat Sinks

Crown Appealing Acquittal Of Driver Who Killed Doctor Alphonsus Hui In Vancouver

Crown Appealing Acquittal Of Driver Who Killed Doctor Alphonsus Hui In Vancouver
VANCOUVER — An appeal has been launched after a British Columbia man was acquitted of dangerous driving in a crash that killed a doctor in Vancouver.

Crown Appealing Acquittal Of Driver Who Killed Doctor Alphonsus Hui In Vancouver