Over time Welfare Legal has been posting information regarding the corruption of Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The one thing that stands out on this subject is the fraud that is being committed by upper management.
One of these cases has now gone through the court system and the results are shocking to say the least. It is the case of Salvatore Cuglietta who was a manager at the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in Sault Ste. Marie where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program. Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government and taxpayers of nearly $600,000.
Prosecutor Glen Wasyliniuk said the ministry was seeking restitution of the money taken from “the taxpayers, the people of Ontario.’’ As well, it wanted a further $93,000 to cover the cost of the forensic investigation, the Crown attorney said.
Both the Crown and defence called for a three-year prison term in a joint submission that was part of a plea bargain.
Well here is where it gets good, The judge sentenced Cuglietta to 3 years in jail but did not order him to pay any restitution. This guy steels $600,000 from, in essence the people that need the money the most and he doesn't have to pay one cent back. (WOW)
One could say that Cuglietta will make $200,000 a year for three years while he sits in jail. (What A Deal) The deal becomes sweeter when we will learn that he will probably be released in record breaking time on early parole. (Unheard Of)
The question now becomes why? What is it about the system that nobody wants out? Just think about all the corruption that I have produced on this blog and this is just a very small tip of the iceberg.
Those at the very top, like him, would have full knowledge of what I have been talking about. He has been paid off and paid off big time, to keep his mouth shut.
Those that live in poverty trying to survive, will sleep better at night knowing that Cuglietta will be looked after, getting 3 good meals a day, his own room with TV and playing golf, daily at Club Fed.
Link http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1577830
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
$600K Fraud COURT: Crown will seek penitentiary term for former Ministry of Community, Social Services manager
An anonymous letter alerted authorities to a large-scale fraud committed by a manager at the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in Sault Ste. Marie, a judge heard Tuesday.
The letter triggered an investigation that discovered Salvatore Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government of nearly $600,000 over a 12-year-period.
During that period, the accused was a manager at the local office, where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Cuglietta created a false client claim under the disability program, paid out funds to the false female client and deposited the money in a bank account, Crown attorney Glen Wasyliniuk said.
The payments included $208,000 basic income, $137,000 for accommodation, $54,000 for medical supplies, $94,000 for house repairs, and $82,000 for medical transportation.
See Full Story http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1565796
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
The letter triggered an investigation that discovered Salvatore Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government of nearly $600,000 over a 12-year-period.
During that period, the accused was a manager at the local office, where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Cuglietta created a false client claim under the disability program, paid out funds to the false female client and deposited the money in a bank account, Crown attorney Glen Wasyliniuk said.
The payments included $208,000 basic income, $137,000 for accommodation, $54,000 for medical supplies, $94,000 for house repairs, and $82,000 for medical transportation.
See Full Story http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1565796
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 11, 2009
Worker Fraud
It never ends.
Approximately one fourth of the frauds in this Report caused at least $1 million in losses.
The most affected industries in our survey were government & public administration (13.3% of all cases), retail (11.1%), and banking & financial (10%).
Occupational Fraud and Abuse is a widespread problem that has the potential to affect any organization.
http://www.finlay-associates.com/PDF/occupationalfraud.pdf
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Approximately one fourth of the frauds in this Report caused at least $1 million in losses.
The most affected industries in our survey were government & public administration (13.3% of all cases), retail (11.1%), and banking & financial (10%).
Occupational Fraud and Abuse is a widespread problem that has the potential to affect any organization.
http://www.finlay-associates.com/PDF/occupationalfraud.pdf
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
What Were They Thinking
A plan to give free 72-hour emergency survival kits to some of Ontario’s highest-paid civil servants at taxpayer expense has been quashed by Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci.
The move came after the Toronto Star obtained an internal government document on the plan, part of emergency preparedness week and “especially timely given the current H1N1 flu virus,” said the memo, which also cited recent emergencies such as last summer’s propane explosion in North York.“We are not impressed,” said Laura Blondeau, a spokesperson for Bartolucci.
See Full Story http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/226828--minister-nixes-plan-to-give-free-survival-kits-to-civil-servants
Who needs the kits most are the people on Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Plan, Canada Pension Disability Plan or any others on a fixed income without additional support from family and friends.
The rate for a single on Ontario Works is under $600.00 monthly. They do not have the financial resources to store enough items to last an additional 72 hours let alone the next day. Kits should be available for those in need when needed for free. Money should be made available to the support systems already in place to hand these out when disaster strikes. Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance and many other organizations assist when they are needed to supply support. Unfortunately they are always struggling for money to support those in need.
Past employment of mine has included looking after Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support clients. Their cupboards and fridges were often bare when visits were made. Monies they received often had to go to pay rent to keep them housed. There is no way any of them would have been able to hoard 72 hours worth of food and save it for a rainy day. It would be gone long before a crisis hits because their life is in a constant state of crisis.
http://durhamregion.typepad.com/emergency_planning/2009/05/free-survival-kits-for-those-who-really-need-them.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
The move came after the Toronto Star obtained an internal government document on the plan, part of emergency preparedness week and “especially timely given the current H1N1 flu virus,” said the memo, which also cited recent emergencies such as last summer’s propane explosion in North York.“We are not impressed,” said Laura Blondeau, a spokesperson for Bartolucci.
See Full Story http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/226828--minister-nixes-plan-to-give-free-survival-kits-to-civil-servants
Who needs the kits most are the people on Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Plan, Canada Pension Disability Plan or any others on a fixed income without additional support from family and friends.
The rate for a single on Ontario Works is under $600.00 monthly. They do not have the financial resources to store enough items to last an additional 72 hours let alone the next day. Kits should be available for those in need when needed for free. Money should be made available to the support systems already in place to hand these out when disaster strikes. Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance and many other organizations assist when they are needed to supply support. Unfortunately they are always struggling for money to support those in need.
Past employment of mine has included looking after Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support clients. Their cupboards and fridges were often bare when visits were made. Monies they received often had to go to pay rent to keep them housed. There is no way any of them would have been able to hoard 72 hours worth of food and save it for a rainy day. It would be gone long before a crisis hits because their life is in a constant state of crisis.
http://durhamregion.typepad.com/emergency_planning/2009/05/free-survival-kits-for-those-who-really-need-them.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.
Would this be worth are while lobbying for, here in Ontario, for some Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program Recipients?
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.
Lifeline Assistance is part of a program that was created by the government to provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers. To help bring you this important benefit, SafeLink Wireless is proud to offer Lifeline Service. Through our Lifeline Service you will receive FREE cellular service, a FREE cell phone, and FREE Minutes every month! SafeLink Wireless Service does not cost anything – there are no contracts, no recurring fees and no monthly charges.
Any Minutes you do not use will roll-over. Features such as caller ID, call waiting and voicemail are all also included with your service. If you need additional Minutes, you can buy TracFone Airtime Cards at any TracFone retailer Walmart, Walgreens, Family Dollar, etc). SafeLink Airtime Cards will be available soon.
Your exact benefits, including the number of free Minutes you will receive, depend on the state you live in.
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
SafeLink Wireless is a government supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.
Lifeline Assistance is part of a program that was created by the government to provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers. To help bring you this important benefit, SafeLink Wireless is proud to offer Lifeline Service. Through our Lifeline Service you will receive FREE cellular service, a FREE cell phone, and FREE Minutes every month! SafeLink Wireless Service does not cost anything – there are no contracts, no recurring fees and no monthly charges.
Any Minutes you do not use will roll-over. Features such as caller ID, call waiting and voicemail are all also included with your service. If you need additional Minutes, you can buy TracFone Airtime Cards at any TracFone retailer Walmart, Walgreens, Family Dollar, etc). SafeLink Airtime Cards will be available soon.
Your exact benefits, including the number of free Minutes you will receive, depend on the state you live in.
https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/home.aspx
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Friday, May 8, 2009
Free cars for poor fuel road rage
Free wheels for welfare recipients program is revving up despite the stalled economy, as the keys to donated cars loaded with state-funded insurance, repairs and even AAA membership are handed out to get them to work.
But the program - fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash - allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.
The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.
The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.
“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.
Applicants for cars must have a job or prove they could get one if they had the car in order to qualify. Once they have the wheels, they must send DTA their pay stubs to prove they are employed.
See Full Story http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_05_07_Free_cars_for_poor_fuel_road_rage/srvc=home&position=also
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
But the program - fueled by a funding boost despite the state’s fiscal crash - allows those who end up back on welfare to keep the cars anyway.
The state pays for the car’s insurance, inspection, excise tax, title, registration, repairs and a AAA membership for one year at a total cost of roughly $6,000 per car.
The program, which started in 2006, distributes cars donated by non-profit charities such as Good News Garage, a Lutheran charity, which also does the repair work on the car and bills the state.
“If you look at the overall picture, this helps make sure people aren’t staying on cash assistance. It’s a relatively short payment for a long-term benefit,” Kehoe said.
Applicants for cars must have a job or prove they could get one if they had the car in order to qualify. Once they have the wheels, they must send DTA their pay stubs to prove they are employed.
See Full Story http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_05_07_Free_cars_for_poor_fuel_road_rage/srvc=home&position=also
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
AUTO INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT ACCIDENT VICTIMS, TAXPAYERS
On 31 March 2009, the Financial Services Commission (FSCO) released its "Five Year Review of Automobile Insurance" to the Minister of Finance. The report provides a number of recommendations which will greatly impact access to assessment and treatment for car accident victims, and have far-reaching implications affecting Ontario taxpayers.
For example, FSCO recommends reducing the cap for medical and rehabilitation benefits from $100,000 to $25,000. Unless injuries are mild, $25,000 in insufficient to ensure injured people are returned to pre-accident levels of functioning.
Specialized rehabilitation is not available under OHIP, and those who cannot afford to pay for private treatment, rehabilitation, and attendant care services may never live independently or return to work. Those who cannot be cared for at home will be placed on waiting lists for long-term care placement or nursing homes, or take up hospital beds in the interim.
With the loss in income, and out-of-pocket expenses for treatment or homecare, families will face significant financial strain. Bankruptcies will rise, homes will be lost to foreclosure, and applications for social assistance (e. g., Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, subsidized housing) will increase.
See Full Story http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1554748
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
For example, FSCO recommends reducing the cap for medical and rehabilitation benefits from $100,000 to $25,000. Unless injuries are mild, $25,000 in insufficient to ensure injured people are returned to pre-accident levels of functioning.
Specialized rehabilitation is not available under OHIP, and those who cannot afford to pay for private treatment, rehabilitation, and attendant care services may never live independently or return to work. Those who cannot be cared for at home will be placed on waiting lists for long-term care placement or nursing homes, or take up hospital beds in the interim.
With the loss in income, and out-of-pocket expenses for treatment or homecare, families will face significant financial strain. Bankruptcies will rise, homes will be lost to foreclosure, and applications for social assistance (e. g., Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, subsidized housing) will increase.
See Full Story http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1554748
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Houses for homeless, no strings attached
300 people in Toronto to be housed in September as part of $110-million study
Toronto is about to join four other Canadian cities in a $110-million study aimed at determining how best to house homeless people who are mentally ill.
The Health Canada-funded project, being run by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, a non-profit group, intends to house 300 people in Toronto through a "housing first'' approach, meaning regardless of whether the client is off drugs, alcohol or both, housing will be provided for them.
"Housing first means housing isn't contingent on all these rules,'' Keller says in an interview, adding the project will offer treatment for drug, alcohol or psychiatric problems – if participants seek it.
See Full Story http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/626090#comments
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Toronto is about to join four other Canadian cities in a $110-million study aimed at determining how best to house homeless people who are mentally ill.
The Health Canada-funded project, being run by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, a non-profit group, intends to house 300 people in Toronto through a "housing first'' approach, meaning regardless of whether the client is off drugs, alcohol or both, housing will be provided for them.
"Housing first means housing isn't contingent on all these rules,'' Keller says in an interview, adding the project will offer treatment for drug, alcohol or psychiatric problems – if participants seek it.
See Full Story http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/626090#comments
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Two-in-three low income Toronto families face food insecurity
Two out of three Toronto families in low-income neighbourhoods are unable to get the food they need and community initiatives such as food banks and school nutrition programs are not able to arrest a problem of this size and scope, according to new research from the University of Toronto.
Food insecurity -- the lack of access to food due to insufficient resources -- was an issue for 80 per cent of families on social assistance in the studied neighbourhoods. Even among the employed, the rate was just under 60 percent.
"Despite the presence of food banks, an alarming number of people are going hungry, which constitutes a serious public health issue," said Sharon Kirkpatrick, who undertook the research as part of her doctoral work at U of T's Department of Nutritional Sciences. "There is a misperception that programs such as food banks are a panacea. Clearly, we need new strategies for confronting the root problem of poverty."
See Full Story
http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2009/05/01/03150.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Food insecurity -- the lack of access to food due to insufficient resources -- was an issue for 80 per cent of families on social assistance in the studied neighbourhoods. Even among the employed, the rate was just under 60 percent.
"Despite the presence of food banks, an alarming number of people are going hungry, which constitutes a serious public health issue," said Sharon Kirkpatrick, who undertook the research as part of her doctoral work at U of T's Department of Nutritional Sciences. "There is a misperception that programs such as food banks are a panacea. Clearly, we need new strategies for confronting the root problem of poverty."
See Full Story
http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/home/Frontpage/2009/05/01/03150.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Friday, May 1, 2009
Court deems law biased against alcoholics, addicts
An Ontario law that excludes alcoholics and drug addicts from receiving long-term disability payments has been found to violate the provincial Human Rights Code.
The 3-0 decision issued this week is the latest court ruling in a 10-yearlong legal fight initiated in 1999 by Robert Tranchemontagne and Norman Werbeski, who both suffer from chronic alcoholism. A lawyer for the two men said the decision is legally sound and she hopes the province will "move on" instead of filing an appeal.
A spokeswoman for the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services declined to comment about the specifics of the ruling. "Our lawyers are in the process of reviewing it. We have not decided whether to file an appeal," said Sandy Mangat.
Whole Story
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1529813
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
The 3-0 decision issued this week is the latest court ruling in a 10-yearlong legal fight initiated in 1999 by Robert Tranchemontagne and Norman Werbeski, who both suffer from chronic alcoholism. A lawyer for the two men said the decision is legally sound and she hopes the province will "move on" instead of filing an appeal.
A spokeswoman for the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services declined to comment about the specifics of the ruling. "Our lawyers are in the process of reviewing it. We have not decided whether to file an appeal," said Sandy Mangat.
Whole Story
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1529813
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
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