Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 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

Woman On Tractor Promoting Canadian Milk Dies In Collision With Semi

Woman On Tractor Promoting Canadian Milk Dies In Collision With Semi
SASKATOON — An Ontario woman who was on a cross-country tractor tour with her husband to promote Canada's dairy industry has died in a collision with a semi north of Saskatoon.

Woman On Tractor Promoting Canadian Milk Dies In Collision With Semi

Snake Sighting, But Still No Success In Finding Missing Python In Delta

Snake Sighting, But Still No Success In Finding Missing Python In Delta
DELTA, B.C. — A missing pet python named Gypsy was spotted on the Canada Day long weekend in Delta, B.C., shortly after it disappeared into a farmer's field June 30.

Snake Sighting, But Still No Success In Finding Missing Python In Delta

A&W Introduces Beyond Meat Vegetarian Burgers In Canada

A&W Introduces Beyond Meat Vegetarian Burgers In Canada
The burger chain partnered with California-based Beyond Meat to create a plant-based burger that it is now serving at its more than 925 restaurants across Canada.

A&W Introduces Beyond Meat Vegetarian Burgers In Canada

Parents Of Humboldt Broncos Player Killed In Crash Sue Truck Driver JASKIRAT SIDHU

Parents Of Humboldt Broncos Player Killed In Crash Sue Truck Driver JASKIRAT SIDHU
Sidhu has been released on bail following his first court appearance Tuesday in Melfort, Sask. While on bail, Sidhu will not be able to operate a motor vehicle

Parents Of Humboldt Broncos Player Killed In Crash Sue Truck Driver JASKIRAT SIDHU

Two-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck By Father’s Minivan Outside Saanich Home

Two-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck By Father’s Minivan Outside Saanich Home
Saanich police say the man was leaving his home Saturday when his minivan struck the toddler. 

Two-Year-Old Girl Dies After Being Struck By Father’s Minivan Outside Saanich Home

Former Green Party Candidate On Trial In Germany For Denying Holocaust

Former Green Party Candidate On Trial In Germany For Denying Holocaust
A former federal Green candidate disavowed by the party after she published a self-made video denying the Holocaust is on trial in Germany for incitement of hatred.

Former Green Party Candidate On Trial In Germany For Denying Holocaust