Castanet

What ever happened to the investigation into the irregularities in the DPA finances?

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/197076/dpa-finances-probed

I hope this isn't going to get dropped by the RCMP because it is hard work to prove.
These things are never going to end if the people who take advantage of those they are entrusted to represent aren't held accountable by the law.

Basically the people whose money was misused become victimized twice. Once by the perpetrator(s) and again by the RCMP who appear indifferent.

I hope that isn't the case.

It's only been 10 months since the RCMP received the file. The RCMP would have handed the file over to their team of forensic auditors for a much more comprehensive evaluation. While a regular audit of the books can say that something doesn't seem to add up, the RCMP need to investigate to a much higher standard plus if there is an issue they need to figure out who exactly caused it. These things take a lot of time as the person committing the fraud is usually smart enough to not write out a bunch of cheques to themselves.

It's also possible that there was a reasonable explanation for the irregularities and it was really a non issue.

Darkre wrote:It's only been 10 months since the RCMP received the file. The RCMP would have handed the file over to their team of forensic auditors for a much more comprehensive evaluation. While a regular audit of the books can say that something doesn't seem to add up, the RCMP need to investigate to a much higher standard plus if there is an issue they need to figure out who exactly caused it. These things take a lot of time as the person committing the fraud is usually smart enough to not write out a bunch of cheques to themselves.

It's also possible that there was a reasonable explanation for the irregularities and it was really a non issue.

Those seem like reasonable possibilities.

Perhaps it is still a developing story,

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/dvba-executive-director-part-ways-no-explanations-1.23099947

OllyV wrote:Perhaps it is still a developing story,

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/dvba-executive-director-part-ways-no-explanations-1.23099947

It certainly makes for interesting speculation but it is only speculation. I can understand the employer position on lack of comment on the termination of employment however. I have learned that it is wise to say essentially nothing, remain neutral to positive if anything, when asked for a reference for a terminated employee. Our laws open the potential for lawsuits for defamation that cost way too much.
The pendulum has swung so far that I offer "no comment" to any reference inquiry about a terminated employee or rental tenant that has been evicted.

I am really curious as to why we have heard not a word from, the Downtown Penticton Association, The City of Penticton or the RCMP with regard to this matter. Hell, we're heading into another election and we still haven't received the details as to what actually happened within the DPA and the financial irregularities. I sure the hell hope this isn't one of those ... let it drag on and they will forget situations. Something just doesn't seem right about this entire situation.

southy wrote:I sure the hell hope this isn't one of those ... let it drag on and they will forget situations. Something just doesn't seem right about this entire situation.

I think this may be exactly what's happening.

I suspect there are some people who may have to answer some very difficult questions if this case ever moves forward.

I bet it is being willfully obstructed to prevent opening a larger can of worms.

It's a shame when people in positions of trust get away with things like this. Sadly it is getting more and more common as we become so easily distracted by the next shiny bobble.

OllyV wrote:I bet it is being willfully obstructed to prevent opening a larger can of worms.

It's a shame when people in positions of trust get away with things like this. Sadly it is getting more and more common as we become so easily distracted by the next shiny bobble.

While the timeline for answers may seem inadequate, this investigation is not a jury of peers looking to sweep dirt under a rug in hopes that it will be forgotten with time. It is the RCMP Commercial Crimes Unit investigating here and there will be a decision on charges or not. The fact that they got involved to begin with speaks volumes. We just have to wait for the wheels of justice to produce a conclusion.
The DPA is hardly an organization with any stroke to obstruct, conspire, or organize any kind of cover up. Their past actions have shown they are incapable running their own association never mind a conspiracy to obstruct a RCMP investigation for lord's sake.

twobits wrote:Their past actions have shown they are incapable running their own association never mind a conspiracy to obstruct a RCMP investigation for lord's sake.

Might not be just the DPA.
We'll see I guess.

Either that or we never hear about it again.

Darkre wrote:It's only been 10 months since the RCMP received the file. The RCMP would have handed the file over to their team of forensic auditors for a much more comprehensive evaluation. While a regular audit of the books can say that something doesn't seem to add up, the RCMP need to investigate to a much higher standard plus if there is an issue they need to figure out who exactly caused it. These things take a lot of time as the person committing the fraud is usually smart enough to not write out a bunch of cheques to themselves.

It's also possible that there was a reasonable explanation for the irregularities and it was really a non issue.

I disagree. I am a CGA and have been doing audits and reviews for 30 years.

It doesn't take 10 months to find discrepancies. It takes a couple weeks, tops, of looking into the bank accounts and the reconciliations of those accounts, to find out everything that was going through the account.

The fact that the RCMP say it will take 10 months, is because they won't start looking into it until 9 months have passed.

It's not hard to find that something is not right...and it also doesn't take long to figure out why.

I would love to be able to bill out 10 months of billable time to do something that only took me a month to accomplish. But alas, I don't have any government contracts. lol

You are correct that the RCMP did not start investigating 10 months ago. And it probably only takes 2 to 4 weeks for a forensic audit. They will get to it. I am however pretty certain that they are not billing hours for the last 10 months.....as you suggest would be a dream job.

twobits wrote:You are correct that the RCMP did not start investigating 10 months ago. And it probably only takes 2 to 4 weeks for a forensic audit. They will get to it. I am however pretty certain that they are not billing hours for the last 10 months.....as you suggest would be a dream job.

You're right...they won't bill 10 months of hours. They'll bill one months of hours at a rate that is 10 x's more than what they charge non-government clients. All you have to do is look at the legal fees paid by the government for situations like this, to see the final invoice is way out of line for the actual work done. And who pays that? You and me.

Anyone remember when the US government was exposed for paying $800 for hammers?

Billing 10 x's my normal rate would indeed be a dream job...correction, contract.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... rges-close

So "close" is how long? I may be retired before they get charges approved.

Looks like we made the Province on this one....

http://theprovince.com/news/local-news/penticton-rcmp-getting-close-on-financial-irregularity-case-involving-downtown-association/wcm/2829d89b-ab5c-400b-9a5b-1320332d1cf8

It must be getting serious.

OllyV wrote:Looks like we made the Province on this one....

http://theprovince.com/news/local-news/penticton-rcmp-getting-close-on-financial-irregularity-case-involving-downtown-association/wcm/2829d89b-ab5c-400b-9a5b-1320332d1cf8

It must be getting serious.

From the link....

Sources close to the investigation told The Penticton Herald that the investigation is zeroing in on two possible suspects. The amount of missing funds range between $10,000 and $40,000.

My desire is the quarter mill this investigation cost taxpayers is added to the restitution order from the court instead of just the 10 to 40k theft.