OPP Charge Two People Following Fraud Investigation at St. Michael’s Hospital Redevelopment Project

Pete Fisher
1 year ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

Large Procurement Fraud at St. Michael’s Hospital

Members of the Ontario Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have charged two people following a lengthy investigation into a $300-million procurement project a t St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

In 2011, the St. Michael’s Hospital Redevelopment Project was approved for procurement, in coordination with Infrastructure Ontario (IO). In December 2012, the hospital and IO commenced the process to award the contract for renovations.

The SFO investigation has found evidence of fraud through the offering or receipt of secret commissions in the awarding of the contract in 2015.

As a result of the investigation, two individuals have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code:

John AQUINO, aged 50 years of Toronto, is charged with:

• Fraud Over $5000 – section 380(1) – two counts
• Secret Commissions – section 426(1)(a)

 

Vasos GEORGIOU, aged 58 years of Toronto, is charged with:

• Fraud Over $5000 – section 380(1) – two counts
• Secret Commissions – section 426(1)(a)
• Fraud on Government – section 121(1)(d)

The accused parties have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall in Toronto on March 28, 2023.

The SFO is appealing to anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the dedicated Tip Line at: 1 (844) 677-9413; you may also email information related to this investigation to: OPP.Project.Paddock@opp.ca; or if you wish to remain anonymous, by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The Serious Fraud Office will not comment further in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and court processes. The SFO acknowledges the important partnerships with Barrie Police Service, York Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Durham Regional Police and the RCMP, and the contribution from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of C anada (FINTRAC). The expertise provided was a tremendous asset to the successful outcome of the investigation.