Edmonton Forum

September 04, 2016

 

NorQuest College was the target of an alleged fraud and misconduct relating to confidential information and financial assets. We took swift steps to inform and protect the people directly impacted, recover college information and assets, and pursue legal action. The courts awarded legal remedies rarely given, which assured us that all confidential information and assets were recovered. We also conducted reviews and obtained third party validation to ensure that our processes to protect people, information, and assets are strong.

 

How events unfolded

In early 2013, NorQuest College became aware of a former employee, previously terminated with cause, allegedly sending inappropriate electronic messages. We worked quickly and decisively to identify and stop the alleged harassment, as there were early indications that information used in the alleged harassment could have originated from internal sources. Our primary concern was to protect the people targeted by these actions, and the college as a whole.

NorQuest obtained a court order that allowed, without warning, an extensive search of the former employee’s home and a seizure of all the electronic devices and other evidence in the home (an Anton Piller order). The extensive nature of the order and subsequent search gave NorQuest College and the individuals directly impacted the assurance that all college and confidential information had been recovered.

As governed by the legal parameters, the lengthy and complex review of the seized devices took place over the summer and fall of 2013. Through the course of the review, further alleged misconduct was discovered. We uncovered an intricate set of allegedly fraudulent transactions dating back to 2008 and totaling approximately $1.2 million, which led to further investigation and legal actions.

Our primary concern throughout this matter has been to protect the individuals directly impacted, recover college information and assets, and take all legal steps and remedies available to us to do so. We have concluded legal settlements of these matters. We are very satisfied with the settlements but due to the confidentiality of the terms, we are not able to release the details beyond what is already publicly available through the courts.

We take these matters very seriously and want to assure our employees, students, and community partners that our stewardship of personal information and public funds are secure. We are confident we have strong controls in place to protect public assets and confidential information. The Office of the Auditor General verified this in their last three reviews of our controls.

During the course of these matters, we advised the Edmonton Police Services (EPS), Office of the Auditor General, Ministry of Advanced Education, and acted under legal advice and court direction.

EPS is involved and as such NorQuest College will not be making any additional comment on this matter publicly at this time.