OTTAWA,
ON, July 9, 2024 /CNW/ - RCMP Federal
Policing's Sensitive and International Investigations Unit (SII)
has charged a federal government consultant for fraudulently
overbilling the Government of Canada.
In the summer of 2021, Public Services and Procurement
Canada (PSPC) launched an investigation into a federal consultant
who undertook contract work with eight separate Government of
Canada departments and Crown
corporations. Evidence indicated that the consultant had submitted
fraudulent timesheets that resulted in overbilling by an estimated
$250,000 between January 1, 2020 and June
30, 2021. PSPC referred the case to the RCMP for a
possible criminal investigation.
The RCMP SII opened an investigation after it was
determined that the consultant may have been overbilling. The RCMP
obtained statements from prime contractors while examining
timesheets to confirm that the consultant had overbilled the
Government of Canada on separate
contracts.
As a result, Clara Elaine
Visser (63) faces the following charge:
- Fraud over $5000 contrary
to Section 380(1) of the Criminal Code
Court for Clara Elaine
Visser will be at the Ottawa Courthouse, 161
Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario,
September 6, 2024.
"The Government of Canada is committed to taking action against
improper, unethical and illegal business practices. We hold
individuals and companies accountable for their misconduct while
protecting federal expenditures. Public Services and Procurement
Canada has safeguards in place to detect wrongdoing and protect the
integrity of the federal procurement system. We thank the RCMP for
their thorough investigation." — Catherine
Poulin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Oversight
Branch, Public Services and Procurement Canada.
"This investigation is a great example of collaboration
between the RCMP and PSPC. It demonstrates that we are committed to
keeping our nation safe, by protecting the integrity of the federal
government and preventing the abuse of tax payers' dollars." —
Supt. Jeremie Landry, Officer in
Charge, Sensitive and International Investigations Unit, Central
Region, RCMP.
Fast facts
The SII unit investigates sensitive and international
crimes threatening Canada's
interests such as those directed towards the institutions of
government, public officials, the integrity of the Crown, or
otherwise imperil Canada's
political, economic and social integrity.
Individuals who have information related to illegal or
illicit activities in Government of Canada contracting can report it anonymously
to the Federal Contracting Fraud Tip Line
or directly to the Special Investigations and
Disclosure Directorate by emailing them at
spac.dgsdivulgationinterne-dobinternaldisclosure.pspc@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.
The RCMP's core values guide our daily activities. All
employees are expected to live and model the values in their work.
This investigation shows our commitment to serving with
excellence.
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Website: RCMP
in Ontario
SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Central Region