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A publication ban has been lifted regarding two lawsuits now in court in Kelowna accusing a social worker of stealing funds from aboriginal children in provincial care. Interior Health and the Ministry of Children and Family Development are also named in the suit.
Robert Riley Saunders is the individual named, an employee in a contract term position at Okanagan College in adult special education.
Since the ban has been lifted, new details have now been provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development regarding their involvement in the case thus far.
According to the ministry, in December 2017, financial irregularities in the matter were brought to their attention, and they sent the issue to the office of the comptroller general, in keeping with policy. Then, in January 2018, the ministry said "steps were taken" to ensure "the immediate safety and well-being of the children and youth, and their families."
That same month, the comptroller general commenced an investigation in order determine if fraud had been committed. The ministry used a financial consulting firm to review and suggest changes to its financial and internal controls, which have since been implemented.
Staff are no longer able to initiate or print cheques without the involvement of a second staff member, and the ministry plans to launch a separate review of its contracting and payment process.
In a statement issued Friday, the ministry stated "When social workers act in a manner that harms or could harm children, their legislative authority to practice social work can be revoked to protect children, youth and families from the risk of them."
They went on to state their intention that, since the court-issued publication ban surrounding the lawsuits has has now been lifted, they hope to "work collaboratively and share more information with the Ombudsperson, the representative for children and youth, the public guardian and trustee and the office of the information and privacy commissioner."
Robert Saunders is no longer an employee with the BC Public Service.
