Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

Student Says Sexual Relationship With Teacher Had Negative Effect On His Life

WINNIPEG — A young man told court that every step forward seems like three steps back during the sentencing hearing for a Winnipeg educational assistant found guilty of sexually exploiting the student.

Student Says Sexual Relationship With Teacher Had Negative Effect On His Life

Transport Canada Says It Wasn't Feces That Fell Onto People And Cars In B.C.

Transport Canada Says It Wasn't Feces That Fell Onto People And Cars In B.C.
VANCOUVER — Transport Canada says a substance that fell from the sky and onto vehicles and people in two British Columbia communities was not human feces from aircraft.

Transport Canada Says It Wasn't Feces That Fell Onto People And Cars In B.C.

Americans Reach Across The Border, Urge Canadians To Ignore Trump

Americans Reach Across The Border, Urge Canadians To Ignore Trump
Usually, it's Canadians who are quick to say sorry.

Americans Reach Across The Border, Urge Canadians To Ignore Trump

Alberta Man Denzel Bird Faces Lengthy Sentence In Sex Assault That Left Woman In Coma

Alberta Man Denzel Bird Faces Lengthy Sentence In Sex Assault That Left Woman In Coma
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A southern Alberta man is to be sentenced today for a vicious sexual assault on a woman who spent weeks in a coma and was forced to learn how to walk and talk again.

Alberta Man Denzel Bird Faces Lengthy Sentence In Sex Assault That Left Woman In Coma

73-Year-Old Ropar Man AMARJIT SINGH BHATNAGAR Robbed In Canada, Dies After Being Assaulted

73-Year-Old Ropar Man AMARJIT SINGH BHATNAGAR Robbed In Canada, Dies After Being Assaulted
On Tuesday June 12, 2018 at approximately 10:07 p.m. the victim Amarjit BHATNAGAR, a 73 year-old male from Brampton, and another family member were walking through Aloma Park in the area of Aloma Crescent 

73-Year-Old Ropar Man AMARJIT SINGH BHATNAGAR Robbed In Canada, Dies After Being Assaulted

All Are Safe After WestJet Flight Returns To Calgary Over Fire In Cargo Hold

WestJet said in a statement that shortly after takeoff the crew on Flight 113 from Calgary to Vancouver was alerted by a fire indication light.

All Are Safe After WestJet Flight Returns To Calgary Over Fire In Cargo Hold