Two former Ontario employees charged after allegedly defrauding government of millions from COVID-19 relief fund
Two former provincial employees alleged to have defrauded millions from the Ontario government’s COVID-19 relief funds have been criminally charged by police following a year-long investigation.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say they began an investigation in August 2020 after receiving a referral from the Ontario Ministry of Education regarding allegations of fraud relating to the Support for Families Program. The program offered parents a payout to help offset the costs of keeping kids at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charges come a year after the province launched a civil claim against four family members alleging they defrauded the government of at least $11 million destined to be COVID-19 relief money.
According to the unproven civil action, an information technology employee and his family opened more than 400 bank accounts between April and May 2020 and deposited about 10,000 cheques that were made out to fake parents of non-existent children.
In January 2021, the government further accused the employee of accepting about $10 million in secret commissions by steering government consulting contracts to companies he or an associate controlled.
In a statement of defence filed in March 2021, the employee put the blame on the province for having alleged lax security measures that allowed for the misappropriation of the funds.
In a news release issued on Monday, OPP investigators say that their Anti-Rackets Branch arrested two former Ontario Public Service employees in connection with the investigation, noting that the size and scope of the fraud was “significantly more complex than first identified.”
Sanjay Madan, 56, has been charged with two counts of breach of trust, two counts of fraud over $5,000, money laundering and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, while Shalini Madan, 52, has been charged with money laundering and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The charges have not been proven in court.
Both employees have been fired from their positions within the Ontario government.
With files from the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.