Former HRDC employee charged with making fraudulent EI claims

(TORONTO – Wednesday, March 8, 2006) – Nearly all of the over $51,000 paid out in fraudulent Employment Insurance (EI) claims has been recovered and a former employee of the federal department responsible for the program is facing charges, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Commercial Crime Section announced today.

In June 2005, the RCMP received information from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) that led to the investigation of suspicious EI claims totaling more than $51,000. The investigation alleges that an employee submitted fictitious claims to receive benefit payments. These payments were deposited directly into a bank account under the employee’s control. As a result of an internal investigation by HRDC investigators, all but $86 of the benefits paid were recovered. The suspect’s employment with HRDC has been terminated.

The RCMP Commercial Crime Section is responsible for undertaking criminal investigations into allegations when a federal government department or one of its programs are believed to be the victims of fraud or theft.

“It is essential to the economic well being of this country to ensure the financial integrity of our federal departments and programs is protected and any suspected breeches of that integrity are aggressively investigated,” said Inspector Brian Verheul, Officer in Charge of the GTA Commercial Crime Section.

Nasir Ali KHAN, 25, of Toronto, is charged with one count of Breach of Trust under Section 336 of the Criminal Code and one count of Fraud over $5,000.00 under Section 380(1) of the Criminal Code. His next court appearance is scheduled for the Newmarket Court House on April 4, 2006.

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For further information, contact:
Cpl. Michele Paradis
NCO i/c Corporate Communications and Media Relations
RCMP “O” Division
Cellular: (416) 992-4409
pager: (416) 715-2375