A former municipal employee in Surrey, B.C., has been charged with fraud amounting to a $2.5 million loss for the city, as confirmed by the Surrey Police Service. The RCMP’s economic crimes unit initiated a probe following reports of financial irregularities and a significant fraud last year.
The employee allegedly exploited the city’s financial systems over an extended period, generating fraudulent files related to her duties. On Nov. 18, the BC Prosecution Service approved four charges against 40-year-old Sunny Catlin, whose first court appearance is slated for Dec. 2.
Catlin is accused of fraud and breach of trust for issuing and depositing unauthorized cheques from the city for personal gain. Additionally, she faces charges of forgery for fabricating false City of Surrey deposit release authorization packages with the intent to pass them off as legitimate, along with charges of fraud and theft exceeding $5,000.
Mayor Brenda Locke refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation but commended the police for upholding accountability in the case. She emphasized the city’s dedication to transparency and integrity in all operations.
Keyphrase: Surrey fraud case