June 24, 2021 – A Peel Regional Police officer has been dismissed following a fraud investigation into questionable employee benefits claims.
Const. Noel Santiago, an eight-year member of the force, was dismissed following a decision by hearing officer Supt. Colleen Fawcett, according to an Ontario Civilian Police Commission hearing report. Santiago was found guilty of two counts of discreditable conduct and one count of deceit.
The report states an agreed statement of facts filed with the hearing officer indicates the officer submitted an online claim for chiropractic services to Sun Life rendered by a doctor on Feb. 6, 2017. This triggered a random audit of all claims by Santiago and it was determined he had submitted 48 unsupported/false claims.
The hearing report said he received $2,855 from Sun Life for services he and/or his wife did not receive from their doctor. Santiago was charged with one count of fraud under $5,000, but the charge was withdrawn when he pleaded guilty to making a false statement under the Insurance Act.
The hearing report said he was also charged with one count of fraud under $5,000 for 31 unsupported/false claims totalling $2,418 paid to him by Sun Life for services he and/or his wife did not receive from a registered massage therapist. The charge was withdrawn when he pleaded guilty to making a false statement under the insurance act. The Brampton Guardian reports. | READ MORE
