Fined for GST fraud
A Surrey man has been fined $38,000 and handed an eight-month conditional sentence after he tried to obtain Goods and Service Tax (GST) refunds he was not owed.
Michael Joseph Gadbois operated Mike’s Pickup and Delivery Service from 1994 to 2000, and although the business had shut down, Gadbois continued to prepare and file GST returns for the next four years.
During that time, Gadbois was either employed as a security guard or was receiving employment insurance and workers’ compensation benefits.
The claims made on the fraudulent returns suggested that Gadbois had spent $920,728 on business-related purchases. He received $55,723 in GST refunds before a Canada Revenue Agency investigation uncovered the truth.
Gadbois pleaded guilty March 27, 2008 at Robson Square Provincial Court to wilfully obtaining or attempting to obtain GST refunds totalling $64,451.
He was handed a $38,670 fine, which represents 60 per cent of the fraudulent refunds he claimed. Gadbois was also ordered to perform 30 hours of community service as part of his eight-month conditional sentence.
And he is required to repay the GST refunds he fraudulently received, plus interest.
dweir@surreyleader.com
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