A former IT director with Ontario’s Ministry of Education will spend 10 years in prison after defrauding the government of over $47 million.
Sanjay Madan is accused of exploiting his position and access to family support programs to conduct two separate fraud schemes.
Prosecutors allege that while overseeing a Covid-19 relief benefit program, Madan and his family cashed fraudulent cheques.
Madan first faced criminal charges in 2021 alongside another individual accused of defrauding the government.
The accused is also ordered to pay back a total of $47.4 million. He has already paid back $30 million of the stolen cash.
Upon leaving prison in 10 years, Madan will have five years to pay back the remaining sum.
According to his defence lawyer, the accused entered a guilty plea in order to clear his family’s name.
“So, Mr. Madan at the sentencing was – in taking responsibility – trying to drive home the point that it was him, and not his family, and that’s why it is he who is going to jail and why it is his wife who is having all charges withdrawn, and why his sons have not been charged at all,” said defense lawyer Chris Sewrattan.
Madan was charged with two counts of fraud, two counts of breach of trust, money laundering and possession of property obtained by crime.
