Federal Consultant Charged With Fraud, Accused of Overbilling the Government $250,000

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

A consultant is facing fraud charges for allegedly over-billing the federal government by $250,000 over an 18-month period, the RCMP says.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) launched an investigation in the summer of 2021 into a federal consultant who was under contract with eight separate government departments and Crown corporations, the RCMP said in a July 9 press release.

PSPC referred the case to the RCMP for criminal investigation after uncovering evidence that allegedly pointed to overbilling by an estimated $250,000 between Jan. 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The agency said the alleged overbilling was submitted through “fraudulent timesheets.”

The subsequent RCMP investigation determined the consultant “had overbilled the Government of Canada on separate contracts,” police said. The RCMP declined to provide details about the types of contracts the consultant worked on.

Facing charges of fraud over $5,000 in connection with the incident is Clara Elaine Visser, 63.

“The Government of Canada is committed to taking action against improper, unethical, and illegal business practices,” said PSPC Department of Oversight Branch Assistant Deputy Minister Catherine Poulin in the press release.

“We hold individuals and companies accountable for their misconduct while protecting federal expenditures.”

Ms. Visser is to appear in an Ottawa court on Sept. 6.