BURST
A Surrey municipal employee is facing fraud charges after a nearly two-year investigation by the city’s economic crimes unit.
In early 2024, Surrey RCMP launched an investigation into what police call “a significant fraud reported by the City of Surrey.”
Investigators looked into allegations of financial irregularities reported by the city, which alleged that the employee went into its financial systems and created a series of fraudulent files in connection with her official duties over a lengthy period.
The alleged fraud is estimated to have cost the city $2.5 million.
Last week, prosecutors approved the following charges against 40-year-old Sunny Catlin:
• In connection with the duties of her office, committed fraud or a breach of trust by issuing depositing cheques from the City of Surrey without authority and for her own benefit.
• By deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means, defrauded the city of money of a value in excess of $5,000.
• Theft of money, the property of the city, of a value in excess of $5,000.
• Committed forgery by knowingly making false documents, City of Surrey deposit release authorization packages, with the intent that they be used or acted upon by the city as if they were genuine.
Catlin’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Although she said she could not comment on the investigation, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke issued a statement Wednesday thanking the economic crimes unit and all the investigators who worked on the case.
“The City of Surrey remains committed to transparency and integrity in all its operations,” said Locke.
The city had pursued a civil case against Catlin in B.C. Supreme Court alleging a cheque-writing scam spanning seven years from 2017 to 2024.
When the case was in court this spring, it was learned the employee was being investigated by police but charges had not been laid and Catlin denied the fraud.
Catlin had worked for the city for two decades before being fired in early 2024 after admitting she forged a signature while replacing a legitimate stale-dated cheque for a customer, according to a search warrant.
Two fake cheques were found after she left, setting off an investigation that allegedly turned up many more to her business, her former legal name and her mother.
Surrey’s police spokesman, Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, said investigators have wrapped up the criminal case and are working with prosecutors on the disclosure process.
With files from Susan Lazaruk