Mayor won't say how many claims or how much money was involved
The City of Toronto has fired nine employees for allegedly submitting fraudulent benefits claims.
The employees had originally been put on paid leave on Feb. 20 and were fired March 2 following an audit by the city's benefits provider Manulife Financial.
Due to the ongoing police investigation, Mayor David Miller wouldn't say how many fraudulent claims had been filed or how much money was involved. He also wouldn't say if the employees had been filing claims for themselves or for others or if the city would try to recoup the money.
Auditor general Jeff Griffiths also recently submitted a report to the city's audit committee on complaints to Toronto's fraud and waste hotline.
There were 619 complaints made to the line in 2008, 42 of which were substantiated. So far, three employees were fired as a result of complaints and 18 others received a range of discipline - from a letter in their file to a four-week suspension without pay.
The city employs 51,000 people, including those who work for city-run agencies.
