Toronto Community Housing says five employees have been fired after an investigation found wrongdoing by a subsidiary in relation to a 2010 downtown highrise fire.
Housing Services Inc., one of TCHC’s subsidiaries, was investigated for possible improper insurance claims in the wake of the Sept. 2010 blaze at 200 Wellesley St., which lefts hundreds homeless.
Reports suggested that Housing Services was being investigated for allegedly altering documents – making it appear as though work done in Ottawa was actually done at 200 Wellesley – in an effort to increase the insurance payout.
In a statement, TCHC CEO Eugene Jones would only say the independent forensic investigation found wrongdoing by several employees.
“The findings are serious, and today we have taken appropriate steps to address them,” he said. “There have been staff disciplinary actions, including the termination of five employees.”
TCHC board member Ana Bailao told CTV Toronto that the TCHC administration is taking the allegations very seriously.
“We want to change the culture of the company,” she said.
Speaking with reporters at city hall Wednesday, Mayor Rob Ford said the results of the forensic audit were “disturbing.”
“I’m glad that we got to the bottom of it,” Ford said.
Findings will be turned over to Toronto police for further investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, TCHC is expected to release a more detailed report on the investigation.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
