A former executive assistant stands accused of defrauding a Burnaby seniors home in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nehaz Hirji, 34, has been charged with multiple counts of fraud over $5,000 and using a forged document, according to court documents.
The victim named in each case is the George Derby Care Society, which operates the George Derby Centre.
The charges, which relate to alleged offences in fall 2020, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in B.C., were approved in November, but Hirji wasn’t arrested until Dec. 14 in North Vancouver, according to Burnaby RCMP.
He was released the same day but failed to appear for a hearing in Vancouver provincial court Tuesday.
Police launched an investigation after getting a report from George Derby in August 2021, according to the Burnaby RCMP.
George Derby executive director Ava Turner confirmed Hirji had worked as her executive assistant from March 4, 2019 to April 6, 2021, at which time he resigned.
Hirji’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 7. The Crown will apply for a warrant if he doesn't show up, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.
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