Audit reveals suspect expenses by society running safe-injection site

VANCOUVER – Financial reviews of the largest social service group in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have uncovered misuse of corporate credit cards, unsupported expenses and inadequate criminal record checks.

A B.C. government review and a separate external financial audit reveal what the province says are significant concerns about the management practices of the Portland Hotel Society.

A joint news release from the ministries of health and housing says the board and senior managers of the society — which operates Vancouver’s groundbreaking safe injection site — have been fired.

An interim board has been appointed to oversee the restructuring of society operations.

Those operations include a detox centre, a catering service and social housing that combines health care and outreach services for mentally ill or drug-addicted clients.

The audit points to unsupported expenses, including out-of-country travel, entertainment and catering.

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