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Former regional manager facing fraud charges by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, August 5, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A former manager in Halton Region's plant capital and engineering department is facing numerous fraud-related charges, including municipal corruption and accepting secret commissions. In a press release issued Wednesday (Aug. 3) Halton Regional Police Det. Sgt. Troy Izlakar of the Halton police Regional Fraud Unit said the charges follow a police investigation initiated, based on receipt of anonymous information, in 2015. It is alleged between November 2010 and January 2016, the accused, a 16-year employee of Halton Region, gained personal benefit by providing confidential information and advantage to contractors with whom he had personal relationships. It is also alleged the suspect approved maintenance and/or construction to the Region's infrastructure that was later deemed unnecessary or without justification. P o l i c e emphasized this allegation refers to components within certain i n f r a s t r u c t u re projects and not the entire i n f r a s t r u c t u re p r o j e c t s David Ohashi themselves. Police also allege altered business expense claims were submitted to the Region for personal travel outside Canada. Heather Anderson, manager of corporate communications for the Region of Halton, said the plant capital and engineering department manager is responsible for delivering large capital projects related to water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. "We are very concerned and disappointed about the charges laid against this former employee. "These allegations, if proven, would be inconsistent with the values and behaviours of the dedicated 2,500 Halton Region employees who serve taxpayers and make a tremendous contribution to our community every day," said Anderson in a statement to the Oakville Beaver. "We have fully co-operated with the police investigation and will continue to do so. We have also conducted a thorough internal investigation of this matter." The Regional Fraud Unit said it did not uncover any information that would indicate wrongdoing by any other current or former member of the Region of Halton. The Region also initiated an internal investigation into the matter. The accused was dismissed from his position Jan. 21, 2016. David Atsushi Ohashi, 56, of Mississauga faces charges of fraud under $5,000, use of a forged document, three counts of municipal corruption and three counts of accepting secret commissions. He is to appear in Milton Provincial Court Tuesday, Sept. 13. Ohashi appeared on the Ontario Sunshine List for 2015 where he is listed as having received $125,544.26. The annual list discloses the salaries of all public sector employees making more than $100,000. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825-4747, ext. 8739 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477); through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting "Tip201" with the message to 274637 (crimes). Police campaign targets worst subdivisions for traffic collisions by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Halton police announced Wednesday (Aug. 3) it will target the worst three residential areas in the region when it comes to traffic collisions. The initiative, dubbed Project Viator (traveller), saw police analytics used to de- termine how many public traffic complaints were received within a 12-month period. This data was added to the number of injury and property damage collisions reported within the same time period to determine those subdivisions exposed to the greatest risk. The top three residential areas, which were identified and which will receive en- inside today's Editorial Artscene Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Real Estate 6 34 Sports Classified 37 41 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com hanced police patrols, include: · Nottinghill Gate area (Oakville area bounded by Upper Middle Road, North Service Road, Dorval Drive and Third Line) had 118 incidents in the past 12 months, including three injury collisions, 88 damageonly collisions, 25 traffic complaints and two Road Watch complaints. Enhanced patrols in this area will be Tuesday (Aug. 9); · Georgetown South (Halton Hills area bounded by Hungry Hollow, No. 10 Side Road, Tenth Line and Eighth Line) had 94 incidents in the past 12 months including two injury collisions; 25 damage-only collisions, 56 traffic complaints and 11 Road Watch complaints. Enhanced patrols in this area will be Monday (Aug. 8); · Millcroft area (Burlington area bounded by Dundas Street, Upper Middle Road, Appleby Line and Walkers Line) had 109 incidents in the past 12 months including three injury collisions, 44 damage-only collisions, 39 traffic complaints and 23 Road Watch complaints. Enhanced patrols in this area will take place Wednesday (Aug. 10). Police say to effectively patrol these areas, they will be using resources from all three district response units. A total of 15 officers will be deployed within each subdivision where they will adopt a zero tolerance enforcement approach. Officers will be looking specifically for distracted, impaired and aggressive drivers as well as those not using their seatbelts. Police said they expect to stop and charge many drivers who live in the subdivisions. They are calling on residents to "Help us help your community by driving safely when traveling to or from home. Your children or your neighbours' children will be safer because of your decision." To report individual driver behaviour, residents can complete a Road Watch complaint at www.haltonpolice.ca/services/ reporting/roadwatch.php. Don't Compromise on Driver Training UpComing CoUrses August 15, 16, 17, 18 4 Days 9:30 am - 3:30 pm August 29, 30, 31, september 1 4 Days 9:30 am - 3:30 pm september 10, 11, 17, 18 2 Weekends 9:30 am - 3:30 pm www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200