Sask. government details losses of public money

A pair of six-figure losses highlighted the provincial government’s report of fourth-quarter losses of public money.

In a media release issued Monday, the government detailed losses that occurred within government ministries and Crown corporations from Jan. 1 to March 31.

The report from the provincial comptroller on losses suffered by executive government contained details of a fraud perpetrated by a Saskatchewan Housing Corporation contract manager from April 2007 to December 2016.

According to the release, the 2016-17 fourth-quarter report featured a loss of $2,425 created by a contract manager who stole rent receipts and submitted false expense claims. Further investigation revealed that the loss actually was $114,170.

The manager was charged, pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000, received 18 months in custody and was ordered to repay the full amount. As well, an insurance claim made to cover the loss had a deductible cost of $50,000.

In another case, Teachers’ Superannuation Commission (TSC) 2 Pension payments were made from May 2009 to January 2018 to a pensioner’s spouse after death. The loss was $111,541.

The matter was referred to the police. The TSC has recovered $80,415 and is pursuing the remaining amount.

A loss also was reported by the Ministry of Corrections and Policing covering the period from September to October of last year.

The report said a former employee used a ministry-owned electronic device for unauthorized personal use, causing data charges of $7,814. The employee resigned, the RCMP was called and the ministry is trying to recover the money.

The Crown Investments Corporation also issued its report for losses in the fourth quarter of 2018-19.

According to that release, a laptop that was supposed to be “life-cycled as per SaskPower processes” was stolen, causing a loss of $1,728. SaskPower’s Security Investigations and Operations branch is investigating the theft and has filed a report with the police.