Worker nabs $375K — in change — from company
December 10, 2008 by Shane BorerPosted in: "Seemed like a good idea at the time", Fighting off fraud, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest news & views
Workplace theft might not be all that uncommon — but stealing this much, every day, over the course of seven years is a different story.
David Hamilton, former employee at Calgary Transit, was recently sentenced to three years in prison by a provincial court in Calgary. Over his seven years of employment, Hamilton had filched nearly $375,000 from the company.
But rather than use sophisticated technology or cunning check fraud, Hamilton kept things simple: The fare counter hid coins in his bag and took them home every night. Averaged out, Hamilton would have had to take home at least $200 per work day — in coins — to add up to the stolen funds.
Officials say the coins were used to pay for vacations, mistresses, vehicles, homes and appliances.
So far, Calgary Transit has been able to recoup almost $250,000 of the stolen money. In their defense, wrapping up all that change takes forever, so it could be awhile until they reclaim it all.
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Tags: Calgary, Check fraud, Stolen funds, Vacation

