Federal Consultant Allegedly Overbilled the Government $250,000 and Faces Fraud Charges

July 9, 2024 TruthUSA

A consultant is facing fraud charges for allegedly over-billing the federal government by $250,000 over an 18-month period, according to the RCMP.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) initiated an investigation in the summer of 2021 involving a federal consultant who had contracts with eight government departments and Crown corporations, as stated in a July 9 press release.

PSPC passed the case to the RCMP for criminal inquiry after discovering evidence of potential overbilling amounting to $250,000 between Jan. 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The alleged overbilling was reportedly done through deceptive timesheets.

Following a subsequent investigation by the RCMP, it was found that the consultant had incorrectly billed the Government of Canada on various contracts, without disclosing specifics about the types of contracts.

Charged with fraud exceeding $5,000 concerning this incident is Clara Elaine Visser, 63.

“The Government of Canada is dedicated to taking measures against improper, unethical, and illegal business practices,” stated PSPC Department of Oversight Branch Assistant Deputy Minister Catherine Poulin in the press release.