The ousted CEO of scandal-plagued eHealth Ontario liked to travel in style on the taxpayers' dime, billing repeatedly for limousine rides, while members of the agency's board were reimbursed for flights from as far away as Florida to attend meetings in Toronto.
After weeks of watching details trickle out about spending and expense abuses at eHealth, the Liberal government on Wednesday released hundreds of pages of receipts, day-planners, meeting minutes and other documents from the troubled agency.
The government wanted to be as transparent as possible, said Health Minister David Caplan, so it released all of the documents at one time. But the opposition parties accused him of trying to bury the story under mountains of paper.
"I think it's in the public's interest for us to be transparent and accountable, and that's why we're handing out the information in an open and unaltered way," Caplan said in an interview.
The New Democrats dismissed Caplan's explanation.
"They're trying to flood everyone with information with the hopes the whole smelly mess will go away sooner rather than later, and I don't think the people of Ontario are gong to buy that," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
EHealth CEO Sara Kramer resigned in June, as did board chair Dr. Alan Hudson, after the opposition parties complained about $5 million in untendered contracts awarded to consultants by eHealth, a figure that has since grown to about $15 million.
Six large binders full of documents released Wednesday show eHealth, and its predecessor agency Smart Systems for Health, spent nearly $82 million on consultants in 2007 and 2008. It's not clear how many of the contracts were awarded without competitive bidding.
"It keeps growing and growing," said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak.
"I worry this is just the tip of the iceberg of the McGuinty government growing far too comfortable and far too fat in office," the Progressive Conservative party leader said.
Board members billed for Florida flights, road tolls
The papers show Kramer billed for limo rides whenever she travelled for eHealth, including one $400 ride from Toronto to London, along with seeking reimbursement for meals at expensive restaurants.
EHealth board member Khalil Barsoum billed taxpayers nearly $2,400 for a round-trip flight from Florida, car rentals and road tolls to attend a board meeting in Toronto.
"This kind of abuse of taxpayers' dollars is outrageous and I want to know whose head is going to roll," said Hudak.
"To have someone flown back and forth to board meetings is the height of entitlement and that really is outrageous," added Horwath.
EHealth said Wednesday it will try to lower the travel expenses by holding future meetings when Barsoum is already in Toronto, but Caplan said the board would no longer approve the out-of-country travel claim.
"I've been assured that moving forward, the board members' travel expenses from Florida will no longer be reimbursed," said Caplan.
Another board member who lives in Ottawa, Heather Sherrard, is reimbursed for flying back and forth to Toronto to attend eHealth meetings, while Toronto-based board member Michael Decter billed for $10 cab rides to and from each meeting, for which he is paid $380 to attend, and another $380 for preparation time.
Both opposition parties are angry with the government for cancelling a promised third-party review of eHealth by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which Caplan had promised would "provide us with the proper advice, guidance and recommendations."
After the eHealth documents were released, Hudak said, "I think we understand now why the Liberals quietly dropped the PriceWaterhouseCoopers review in the dog days of summer.
"Somebody's head's gotta roll. The minister has to go."
The New Democrats also called for Caplan's head over the eHealth scandal, which also saw consultants who were being paid $2,700 a day billing taxpayers extra for snacks and beverages.
"The stench of this scandal continues to grow and the government has done nothing to put it at the feet of the minister, which is where it should have been," said Horwath.
EHealth Ontario was set up last September to replace Smart Systems for Health, another provincial agency which had spent $650 million trying to create electronic health records, but produced virtually nothing of value.
CBC
critter cartoon
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Ex-cop sent to jail for fraud, lying to judge
July 28, 2009
Barbara Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 28, 2009)
A former Hamilton cop who retired in disgrace two decades ago was convicted yesterday of further crimes of dishonesty and sentenced to 30 months in a penitentiary.
Randy Bailey, 56, pleaded guilty to defrauding Wilson, Blanchard Management Inc. of close to $530,000 and to fabricating the minutes of meetings of condominium boards of directors and altering financial statements of their corporations in order to cover up his lying and swindling.
Bailey also pleaded guilty to obstructing justice by lying to Superior Court Justice Stephen Glithero while he was representing himself in court and to breaching the terms of his release on bail.
The convicted man left the Hamilton police department under a dark cloud in the mid-1980s when he and another officer, Doug Woods, were convicted of fabricating evidence and conspiring to pervert the course of justice during the infamous "vice squad" scandal.
Those convictions stemmed from a raid by vice officers on the home of a Hamilton man accused of running an after-hours booze can. A judge found Bailey fabricated a sign -- "All Drinks $2 -- to shore up the bootlegging case against the suspect. Bailey was sentenced to a prison term of two years, nine months.
Raymond Wilson, president of Wilson, Blanchard, said in a victim-impact statement filed yesterday that he hired Bailey and for 15 years considered him a valued and trusted employee. When he first heard about frauds, Wilson said, "I felt anxious and ill and could not believe the allegations."
The judge issued a restitution order against Bailey for nearly $530,000, but Wilson said the company has suffered $1.7 million in other damages associated with the forensic investigation, legal costs, lost business and the lost productivity of three full-time employees who were assigned to sort out the mess.
Wilson said it would not be an exaggeration to say he and others have suffered depression, anxiety and loss of sleep after realizing the full extent of Bailey's criminal conduct and how it had damaged the company, management, employees and clients.
The frauds came to light when an owner of one condominium unit complained to the management company about condo fees being raised despite the building falling into disrepair and no major work getting done.
An internal investigation revealed Bailey, who managed about 12 or 15 condo properties, had been submitting false invoices for maintenance and repair work. He also stole larger sums of cash from condo reserve funds -- which owners contribute to annually to cover major repairs such as roof and window replacements -- and altered the minutes of board meetings and audited financial statements.
Assistant Crown attorney Michael Fox said Bailey and his wife had been living a lifestyle to which they were not properly entitled and the money was "frittered away" on expensive European vacations, a horse and trailer, luxury vehicles and home renovations.
bbrown@thespec.com
905-526-3494
The Spec
Barbara Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 28, 2009)
A former Hamilton cop who retired in disgrace two decades ago was convicted yesterday of further crimes of dishonesty and sentenced to 30 months in a penitentiary.
Randy Bailey, 56, pleaded guilty to defrauding Wilson, Blanchard Management Inc. of close to $530,000 and to fabricating the minutes of meetings of condominium boards of directors and altering financial statements of their corporations in order to cover up his lying and swindling.
Bailey also pleaded guilty to obstructing justice by lying to Superior Court Justice Stephen Glithero while he was representing himself in court and to breaching the terms of his release on bail.
The convicted man left the Hamilton police department under a dark cloud in the mid-1980s when he and another officer, Doug Woods, were convicted of fabricating evidence and conspiring to pervert the course of justice during the infamous "vice squad" scandal.
Those convictions stemmed from a raid by vice officers on the home of a Hamilton man accused of running an after-hours booze can. A judge found Bailey fabricated a sign -- "All Drinks $2 -- to shore up the bootlegging case against the suspect. Bailey was sentenced to a prison term of two years, nine months.
Raymond Wilson, president of Wilson, Blanchard, said in a victim-impact statement filed yesterday that he hired Bailey and for 15 years considered him a valued and trusted employee. When he first heard about frauds, Wilson said, "I felt anxious and ill and could not believe the allegations."
The judge issued a restitution order against Bailey for nearly $530,000, but Wilson said the company has suffered $1.7 million in other damages associated with the forensic investigation, legal costs, lost business and the lost productivity of three full-time employees who were assigned to sort out the mess.
Wilson said it would not be an exaggeration to say he and others have suffered depression, anxiety and loss of sleep after realizing the full extent of Bailey's criminal conduct and how it had damaged the company, management, employees and clients.
The frauds came to light when an owner of one condominium unit complained to the management company about condo fees being raised despite the building falling into disrepair and no major work getting done.
An internal investigation revealed Bailey, who managed about 12 or 15 condo properties, had been submitting false invoices for maintenance and repair work. He also stole larger sums of cash from condo reserve funds -- which owners contribute to annually to cover major repairs such as roof and window replacements -- and altered the minutes of board meetings and audited financial statements.
Assistant Crown attorney Michael Fox said Bailey and his wife had been living a lifestyle to which they were not properly entitled and the money was "frittered away" on expensive European vacations, a horse and trailer, luxury vehicles and home renovations.
bbrown@thespec.com
905-526-3494
The Spec
Smokes and Booze smuggling as a second income is Ilegal
This summer has seen two Windsor Police officers charged with smuggling, on July 10 2009 Const. Ronald Hansen was charged with 3 counts of smuggling tabacco in Canada.
On May 1st 2009 Const. Colin Little was charged, the Canadain Border Services Agency has charged him with non-report of goods, making untrue statements and evading the payment of duties.
Both officers are suspended with pay while they face these allegations in a Court of law.
On May 1st 2009 Const. Colin Little was charged, the Canadain Border Services Agency has charged him with non-report of goods, making untrue statements and evading the payment of duties.
Both officers are suspended with pay while they face these allegations in a Court of law.
Another OPP officer in trouble!
Almost every day it seems some officer in the Police State of Ontario gets in some Jackpot, I don't make this stuff up!
Posted By JON WILLING, SUN MEDIA
A veteran Lanark County detective arrived at an investigation Saturday and was arrested by another officer for impaired driving, the OPP says.
Police said officers attended a residence on Roger Stevens Dr. in Montague Twp. for an unrelated investigation. A plainsclothes detective arrived just before 4 p. m. in an unmarked police vehicle to help in the probe.
According to police, an on-duty sergeant observed the detective and arrested him for impaired driving.
Lanark County OPP Det. Const. Steve Brown, who has been a provincial police officer for 15 years, was charged with impaired driving and having an illegal blood-alcohol level. He was released from custody and is expected to appear in Perth court Aug. 31.
North Bay Nugget
Posted By JON WILLING, SUN MEDIA
A veteran Lanark County detective arrived at an investigation Saturday and was arrested by another officer for impaired driving, the OPP says.
Police said officers attended a residence on Roger Stevens Dr. in Montague Twp. for an unrelated investigation. A plainsclothes detective arrived just before 4 p. m. in an unmarked police vehicle to help in the probe.
According to police, an on-duty sergeant observed the detective and arrested him for impaired driving.
Lanark County OPP Det. Const. Steve Brown, who has been a provincial police officer for 15 years, was charged with impaired driving and having an illegal blood-alcohol level. He was released from custody and is expected to appear in Perth court Aug. 31.
North Bay Nugget
Monday, July 27, 2009
Police Officers Charged With Misconduct.
Written by Wawa Police Service
Monday, July 27th, 2009 - 03:15:14
Written by Wawa Police Service
Monday, July 27th, 2009 - 03:15:14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following a lengthy internal investigation, Sgt. John Scott and Sgt. Duane Wenmann of the Wawa Police Service have been charged with several counts of misconduct for violations of the Code of Conduct within the Police Services Act. The charges were laid in 2008, and following preliminary appearances before a Hearing Officer, the matters are now proceeding to trial.
During the course of the investigation the Wawa Police Service enlisted the assistance of the Justice Technology Services I & IT Security Office, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Professional Standards Bureau. Further disciplinary charges have also been laid against Sgt. Wenmann with regard to additional violations of the Code of Conduct.
The Chief of Police has enlisted the services of retired OPP Superintendent Morris Elbers, Q.C., to adjudicate the matter as the Hearing Officer. The hearings commence the week of August 17, 2009, and will be held at the Legion Hall, situated at 51 Broadway Avenue, Wawa Ontario.
Wawa News
Monday, July 27th, 2009 - 03:15:14
Written by Wawa Police Service
Monday, July 27th, 2009 - 03:15:14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following a lengthy internal investigation, Sgt. John Scott and Sgt. Duane Wenmann of the Wawa Police Service have been charged with several counts of misconduct for violations of the Code of Conduct within the Police Services Act. The charges were laid in 2008, and following preliminary appearances before a Hearing Officer, the matters are now proceeding to trial.
During the course of the investigation the Wawa Police Service enlisted the assistance of the Justice Technology Services I & IT Security Office, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Professional Standards Bureau. Further disciplinary charges have also been laid against Sgt. Wenmann with regard to additional violations of the Code of Conduct.
The Chief of Police has enlisted the services of retired OPP Superintendent Morris Elbers, Q.C., to adjudicate the matter as the Hearing Officer. The hearings commence the week of August 17, 2009, and will be held at the Legion Hall, situated at 51 Broadway Avenue, Wawa Ontario.
Wawa News
Sunday, July 26, 2009
OPP officer charged for Hwy. 140 collision
WELLAND
Tribune staff
An Ontario Provincial Police officer has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act after a motor vehicle collision in Welland earlier this week.
At about 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14 officers from the Niagara Detachment of the OPP Highway Safety Division investigated a collision Hwy. 140 at Enterprise Road in Welland.
The collision involved an on-duty marked OPP cruiser and a civilian vehicle. Neither the officer, nor the other driver, a 59-year-old Port Colborne resident were injured.
An OPP media release says the police vehicle was northbound on Hwy. 140 and was engaged in traffic enforcement. During a manoeuvre, the cruiser came into contact with another vehicle resulting in property damage to both vehicles.
The highway was closed from 10:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. to facilitate the investigation.
Provincial Constable Gavin Cox, a two-year member of the OPP, currently assigned to the Niagara Detachment, has been charged with making an unsafe lane change.
Welland Tribune
Tribune staff
An Ontario Provincial Police officer has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act after a motor vehicle collision in Welland earlier this week.
At about 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14 officers from the Niagara Detachment of the OPP Highway Safety Division investigated a collision Hwy. 140 at Enterprise Road in Welland.
The collision involved an on-duty marked OPP cruiser and a civilian vehicle. Neither the officer, nor the other driver, a 59-year-old Port Colborne resident were injured.
An OPP media release says the police vehicle was northbound on Hwy. 140 and was engaged in traffic enforcement. During a manoeuvre, the cruiser came into contact with another vehicle resulting in property damage to both vehicles.
The highway was closed from 10:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. to facilitate the investigation.
Provincial Constable Gavin Cox, a two-year member of the OPP, currently assigned to the Niagara Detachment, has been charged with making an unsafe lane change.
Welland Tribune
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No more taxes after HST...I promise!
They had No Choice!
They wore these or I took away thier toys for 7 days!
No kidding!
"Damn Street Racer"pays with Brusies
