Four civilians charged after military finds alleged $1.3 M fraud at CFB Halifax

HALIFAX – After a four-year investigation, military police have charged four civilians in an alleged $1.3 million fraud at CFB Halifax.

The four — a business owner, his wife and two civilian base employees — were charged after what the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service called “fraudulent purchasing activities” at the base’s heating plant.

The military police probe began in 2012 after an audit uncovered what Maj. Jean-Marc Mercier called a “significant” $1.3 million alleged fraud.

“It is quite significant (an amount) given that it’s a relativity small number of people,” said Mercier on Tuesday. “It was also a significant period of time — a four year window — and it was a significant investigation as well.”

The service says two former civilian employees, 61-year-old Bry’n Ross and 70-year-old Wayne Langille, are facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and fraud on the government. Investigators say Ross is a former civilian contracts officer and Langille is a former heating plant manager.

Business owner Harold Dawson, 57, and his 54-year-old wife Kim Dawson are also facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and fraud on the government.

The alleged offences relate to purchasing activities with four vendor companies contracted to work at the plant between April 1, 2008 and May 9, 2012.

“The audit indicated suspected fraud in relation to the supply of merchandise to four vendor companies supporting work at the CFB Halifax heating plant,” military police said in a release. “The CFNIS investigation revealed sufficient evidence to support charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.”

The four accused are scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court on Aug. 22.

“Fraudulent activity and misappropriation of Department of National Defence funds are illegal acts and are taken seriously by the Military Police,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, commander of the investigative service.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service’s mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters related to the Defence Department, department employees, and Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving in Canada and around the world.