Acts of Founded Wrongdoing
(1) Contravention of an Act of Parliament and Misuse of Public Funds
On 20 November 2009, the DND Internal Disclosure Office (IDO) received a disclosure pertaining to the alleged contravention of contracting regulations and misuse of public funds. Specifically:
•Contravention of Contracting Regulations. It was alleged that the manager improperly hired a consultant on a series of Call-Ups against Temporary Help Services Standing Offer Arrangements over a two year period; and
•Misuse of Public Finds. It was alleged that the manager paid the consultant in excess of $500,000 over a period of just less than two years, more than five times the annual rate of pay for the vacant position.
The subsequent investigation, conducted by the Directorate of Special Examinations and Inquiries, concluded that the allegations were founded; the investigation report contained recommendations that:
•The DND manager and staff should receive refresher training with respect to- ◦Obligations under the Financial Administration Act (FAA),
◦Contracting within DND,
◦Conflict of Interest, and
◦Employer-employee relationships; and
•that the chief executive consider imposing administrative or disciplinary sanctions as deemed appropriate under the circumstances.
The DND IDO has informed management of the findings of the investigation and confirmed that corrective action has been taken. The DND manager has been counselled, and the manager and senior staff have undergone refresher training with respect to obligations under the FAA, contracting for services, conflict of interest and employer-employee relationships.