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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 16, 2012 · 8 Fifteen-month investigation leads to fraud charges A 39-year-old Oakville man is facing a series of fraud-related charges for allegedly using a registered charity, of which he was chief financial officer, to defraud Citizenship and Immigration Canada of more than $4 million. The charges, laid Thursday, stem from a 15-month investigation by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Hamilton Niagara Commercial Crime Section into the registered charity, called Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO). The organization was funded primarily by the federal government's Citizenship and Immigration Canada and had several offices in Hamilton. It provided settlement assistance and other services to newcomers to Canada. Bankrupt In January 2011, SISO went bankrupt, which resulted in the loss of these services and 156 jobs in the Hamilton area. In partnership with the Hamilton Police Service, the RCMP conducted an in-depth forensic investigation, which they said revealed a sophisticated series of schemes that spanned several years. The allegations police listed include the falsification of invoices, payroll and employee information. Police estimate that between 2008 and 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada was defrauded of more than $4 million. "The RCMP and our counterparts at the Hamilton Police Service take this loss very seriously," said Inspector Steve Martin. "Not only did this organization, and its more than 150 employees, have an impact on our community as a whole, but the individuals behind this alleged fraud have deprived newcomers to Canada of important and vital services." Ahmed `Robert' Salama, 39, of Oakville, who served as SISO's chief financial officer and Morteza Davatgar-Jafarpour, 52, of Ottawa, who served as SISO's executive director, have been charged with knowingly using forged documents, fraud over $5,000, theft over $5,000, and conspiracy to commit fraud over $5,000. The investigation is continuing. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca/biosolids. www.halton.ca NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE The Study Biosolids Master Plan Class Environmental Assessment Study Halton Region has initiated a comprehensive Master Plan for the management of biosolids in the regulation of biosolids management, as well as new developments in biosolids Master Planning Process to ensure the long term sustainability of its Biosolids Management Program. The purpose of this study is to evaluate biosolids management alternatives and methods, and to recommend a strategy that ensures the program's long term sustainability to the Preferred Biosolids Management Strategy for Halton Region. Comments and information regarding this project are also being collected to assist in meeting the requirements of the part of the public record. www.halton.ca/biosolids. Please contact either of the following project team members if you have any questions or comments, wish to obtain more information on the study, or if you would like to be added Halton Region 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 Mr. Stephen Nutt, M. Eng., P. Eng. Consultant Project Manager XCG Consultants Ltd. The Process The study is being conducted in accordance with the requirements for Master Plans under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) (Municipal Engineers Association, review agency consultation. input on the work completed to date, including the results of the evaluation of biosolids Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Halton Regional Centre 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, Ontario Thursday, March 29, 2012 Gordon Alcott Heritage Hall Georgetown, Ontario Road safety and slow moving vehicles As the spring planting season approaches, drivers are reminded to be patient on the road when travelling behind slow moving vehicles. equipment, are longer and wider than cars. They travel more slowly and turn suddenly at places that may not be well marked, such as speed and staying well back. Let's work together to keep our roads and our community safe. Learn more about road safety at www.halton.ca/drivesafe. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule March 20, 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Cte March 21, 9:30 a.m. Planning & Public Works Cte March 21, 1:30 p.m. March 28, 9:30 a.m. Regional Council Meeting Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca 15/160312 Gary Carr Regional Chair Please let us know as soon as possible if you will have an accessibility or accommodation need at a Halton Region hosted event or meeting.