Former Surrey, B.C., employee charged with fraud

Police in Surrey, B.C., say a former municipal employee has been charged with fraud leading to an estimated loss of $2.5 million for the city.

The Surrey Police Service says the RCMP’s economic crimes unit began investigating allegations of financial irregularities and “a significant fraud” reported by the city last year.

They say the employee had allegedly accessed the city’s financial systems and created a series of fraudulent files in connection with her duties over an extended period of time.

Police say the BC Prosecution Service approved four charges against 40-year-old Sunny Catlin on Nov. 18, with a first court appearance scheduled for Dec. 2.

She’s accused of committing fraud or a breach of trust by issuing and depositing cheques from the city without authority and for her own benefit.

Police say Catlin has also been charged with forgery by making false City of Surrey deposit release authorization packages, with the intent that they be used as through they were genuine, as well as fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.

Mayor Brenda Locke issued a statement saying she was unable to comment on the matter, but she thanked police for working to “ensure accountability in this case.”

The city is “committed to transparency and integrity in all its operations,” she adds.