Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Ahmed Hussen Floats Ideas To Modernize Safe Third Country Agreement With U.S.

Ahmed Hussen Floats Ideas To Modernize Safe Third Country Agreement With U.S.
One idea he is floating is to use biometrics to allow border officials to better track the movements of individuals at official ports of entry to determine if they are eligible to make a refugee claim in Canada.

Ahmed Hussen Floats Ideas To Modernize Safe Third Country Agreement With U.S.

Bank Of Canada Keeps Key Interest Rate Target On Hold At 1.25 Per Cent

Bank Of Canada Keeps Key Interest Rate Target On Hold At 1.25 Per Cent
The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold Wednesday, but hinted that rate hikes could be coming as it noted the Canadian economy was a little stronger than expected in the first quarter.

Bank Of Canada Keeps Key Interest Rate Target On Hold At 1.25 Per Cent

CTV Pulls 'Roseanne' From Its Television And Streaming Platforms

CTV Pulls 'Roseanne' From Its Television And Streaming Platforms
 CTV says it is pulling "Roseanne" from its television and streaming platforms following a racist tweet on Tuesday by the show's star Roseanne Barr.

CTV Pulls 'Roseanne' From Its Television And Streaming Platforms

New Bus Service In Northern B.C. Will Fill Gap Left By Greyhound Cutting Routes

New Bus Service In Northern B.C. Will Fill Gap Left By Greyhound Cutting Routes
VICTORIA — An interim long-haul bus service is being started in northern British Columbia by the province as Greyhound reduces and eliminates routes in the region.

New Bus Service In Northern B.C. Will Fill Gap Left By Greyhound Cutting Routes

Close Call: Saskatoon Man Hit In Face By Axe Flying Through Windshield

Close Call: Saskatoon Man Hit In Face By Axe Flying Through Windshield
 A Saskatoon man says he was cut on the forehead and suffered a concussion after an axe came flying through his truck's windshield.

Close Call: Saskatoon Man Hit In Face By Axe Flying Through Windshield

B.C. Electoral Reform Referendum Includes Two-Part Ballot Question

British Columbia's attorney general is recommending that voters be asked two questions in a referendum this fall to determine whether they want to switch to proportional representation to elect members of the legislature.

B.C. Electoral Reform Referendum Includes Two-Part Ballot Question