Indo-Canadian will get 10 yr jail for stealing $47.4m from Ontario govt
TORONTO: An Indian-origin former Ontario authorities worker has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after he pleaded responsible to stealing $47.4 million from the provincial authorities, which included $10.8 million of Covid support.
Sanjay Madan, who served as an IT Director throughout the Ministry of Training, pleaded responsible to a number of fees of fraud, breach of belief, and cash laundering, which he dedicated by overseeing two difficult schemes to bilk thousands and thousands of {dollars} from taxpayers, the International Information reported.
Madan’s lawyer Chris Sewratan mentioned he feels “sorry” for his crimes and is taking “duty for all the pieces”.
Madan has agreed to re-pay all the quantity, $30 million of which, his attorneys say was instantly returned to the Ontario authorities, whereas the rest could be repaid over the subsequent 15 years.
His deception got here to mild through the Covid-19 pandemic when the federal government arrange the assist for college kids fund to present mother and father a one-time fee of $200 per little one to offset the prices of studying from house through the pandemic.
Madan, who had entry to the inner processing portal, siphoned off greater than 43,000 assist funds into 2,841 financial institution accounts below his identify — taking $10.8 million from the fund, in line with International Information.
Prison fees had been withdrawn in opposition to Madan’s spouse Shalini and their two grownup sons as a part of a plea discount, which was designed to function a sign that he alone bore duty for the fraud.
Madan’s lawyer mentioned he pleaded responsible to clear the names of his spouse, Shalini Madan, and their two sons whose names had been on among the accounts used to defraud the province.
In keeping with media stories, the Ontario authorities has efficiently obtained an injunction to freeze Madan household’s property in Canada in addition to abroad in India.
Totalling $28 million, these property embrace six Toronto condos collectively value $3 million.
Madan’s entire household was additionally employed with the Province of Ontario, although his sons have since resigned and spouse was dismissed. The probe into the pandemic funds fraud then uncovered a bigger nine-year scheme by which Madan obtained income to the tune of $36.6 million.
Madan’s lawyer mentioned he apologised to the taxpayers, the Ontario authorities, his household and colleagues for the crimes.
In keeping with CTV Information, after Madan’s launch from the jail, he has 5 years to pay again the rest — if he does not, he might be re-incarcerated for an additional six years, his lawyer mentioned.