Sask. government worker fired, charged after claiming income support for years: report

The Government of Saskatchewan has fired an employee it says fraudulently claimed more than $47,000 in unemployment benefits while on the province's payroll.

According to the quarterly report of public losses released Tuesday by the province, the employee claimed income support from the Ministry of Social Services from January 2019 to June 2024, despite getting a government job in November 2021 and keeping it until August 2024.

The government now is trying to recover $47,985.44 in fraudulent payments.

The police have also charged the ex-employee with fraud and identity theft.

The provincial government releases a report on losses of public money within government ministries and Crown corporations every quarter. It tracks losses of more than $500 in money or property due to fraud or other illegal activities by government employees.

This incident was the only loss listed for the period from July 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024.

In the previous quarter from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, the government reported $34,556.11 in losses.