Former TNRD CAO Sukh Gill (Image Credit: TNRD)

By Chad Klassen

TNRD SPENDING AUDIT

TNRD spending audit reveals Gill overspent on questionable items, many receipts not itemized

Dec 16, 2021 | 4:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — BDO Canada’s forensic audit exposed the ‘inappropriate culture of spending’ that was created by former CAO Sukh Gill.

The audit revealed he spent more than he was alloted, had questionable expenses, and in many cases from 2015 to 2019, Gill’s receipts were not itemized.

“We did see all over the place inconsistencies and incomplete information in terms of invoices submitted, whether names have been listed on receipts,” noted Simon Padgett from BDO Canada over Zoom during the TNRD board meeting Thursday. “There was just no standard pattern of events, and of course policies and procedures are designed to bring about a standard process for everybody to follow.”

According to the audit, not only was Gill paid significantly more than other CAO from other regional districts in B.C., he spent a lot more — between $16,000 and $29,000 during the five-year period compared to less than $10,000 a year from others.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

In outlining Gill’s spending, particularly at restaurants and coffee shops, his most visited sites include Hotel 540, spending more than $10,000 over five years, Dorian Greek Restaurant at more than $14,000, and his favourite spot was Nandi’s Flavours of India where Gill forked out more than $27,000 during the five-year period.

“I think the fact that stands out to me is that Nandi’s is the biggest spend on the left-hand side, but on the right-hand side it’s not the larger number of visits,” noted Padgett. “The implication there is smaller number of visits but larger values at each visit.”

Among the spending at Nandi’s, more than 90 per cent of it was not itemized with no details of what was spent, including alcohol. Overall, 26 per cent of Gill’s spending, according to the audit, was not itemized, amounting to nearly $200,000 of the $755,000 of spending that was analyzed. There was also splitting of expenses.

“We saw several examples of bills being split for dining and at restaurants, food and beverage outlets whereby several people would be attending and directed by the former CAO [Gill] to use their individual credit cards this time. Next time it would be somebody else,” said Padgett.

There were also $6,400 worth of gift cards charged to the TNRD, although the audit revealed the regional district doesn’t have a policy against it. Additionally, on a 2019 trip to Uji, Japan, Kamloops’ sister city, Gill charged meals to his TNRD credit card on personal days.

As recommendations, BDO says there needs to be a “Zero Tolerance Tone” at the top, starting with new CAO Scott Hildebrand. It also said there needs to be more oversight with auditors and board members ensuring spending is in line. It advises board members receive ethics training.

Note: The previous story had stated BDO Canada looked into $575,000 worth of spending. In fact, the number was $755,000.