York Region police officer convicted in insurance fraud case

A York Regional Police (YRP) officer has pleaded guilty to a charge of “knowingly making a false or misleading statement or representation to an insurer” under the Insurance Act, the police force revealed on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Const. Stuart Coleman entered his plea under section 447 1(a) of the act in the Ontario Court of Justice in the Town of Bradford, the YRP said in a press release issued yesterday. He was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and $21,547.71 restitution to the Regional Municipality of York as the insurance benefit provider.

Const. Coleman and two co-accused were charged criminally in July 2014, following alleged misuse of company insurance benefits, the press release noted. Criminal charges laid by the YRP Professional Standards Bureau were dismissed, as were all charges against the two co-accused, Ruth Coleman and Michael McCleary.

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Const. Coleman remains suspended with pay and is now the subject of a Police Services Act investigation.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the following steps can be taken, in addition to contacting the insurer:

• Submit a confidential tip using IBC’s online form

• Call IBC’s Canada-wide, 24/7/365 TIPS Line at 1-877-IBC-TIPS

• Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or info@antifraudcentre.ca

• If a resident of Ontario, contact the complaints and investigations department of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) at 416-365-1900 or 1-800-265-3097.