The former principal of a Laval high school has just been charged with a series of crimes related to the embezzlement of school board funds through a shell company. A school board technician and his wife also face charges in this case.
It was an investigation by the Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) that helped shed light on this affair. The organization announced Friday that charges of breach of trust, fraud over $5,000 and use, possession or trafficking of a forged document have been filed against Alan Simoneau, former principal of Laval Junior Academy high school.
PHOTO TAKEN FROM LAKE OF TWO MOUNTAINS HIGH SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE
Alan Simoneau faces a series of charges, including breach of trust by a public servant and fraud over $5,000.
According to the police, between 2016 and 2019, Mr. Simoneau and his accomplices allegedly set up a false invoicing system through a shell company to embezzle funds from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board in Rosemère. The funds were allegedly paid to Édu-Vation, an education consulting firm owned by Barbara Tomasini, the wife of Rajesh Awasthi, himself an employee of the school board.
“False documents were allegedly produced to justify these transfers when the services were not provided,” UPAC claims.
Mme Mr. Tomasini and Mr. Awasthi are charged with fraud and using, possessing or trafficking in a forged document in connection with the same scheme.