Former city worker in $1-million fraud case grieves firing

A former city employee fired in connection with a case of $1-million fraud is grieving his dismissal, the union representing him has confirmed.

Mike Hawrylyshyn, a longtime city employee who worked as an accounts receivable collections coordinator, was fired after it was discovered over $1-million was stolen from the city over a period of about nine years.

Derron Vernon, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees's Local 5167, confirmed his unit is representing a worker who's involved in the case, but would not disclose that person's name.

"We don't give names of individuals who've filed grievances, but I think everybody knows there was a person who was terminated in connection with missing funds."

Vernon wouldn't comment on the nature of the employee's complaint. However, he did say the union represents all members who grieve their terminations.

The city has not confirmed Hawrylyshyn's firing, but has said the fraud led to the dismissal of single worker.

Mike Zegarac, the city's acting head of finance, told CBC Hamilton last week that the suspected theft is related to the transfer of cash between its service providers and the city.

City brass, he said, discovered the discrepancies this spring, while they were in the process of encouraging vendors who normally pay in cash to supply cheques instead.

The money didn't come from one particular site, Zegarac said, and a series of notices issued to stallholders at the Hamilton Farmers' Market suggests that the city-run service may have been one of those affected.

Related: City worker at centre of fraud investigation collected rent payments: farmers' market vendors

Market vendors received two letters this week asking for their help in a police probe into the fraud.

"Recently the City advised that a long-term employee was found to have committed theft from the City of Hamilton," said market manager Donna Lee Macdonald in a June 27 statement.

"If any Market vendor is contacted by the police to assist in their investigation, we encourage you to cooperate."

CBC Hamilton called Hawrylyshyn's Ancaster home on Thursday looking for comment.The man who answered the phone, who did not identify himself, said, "We're not talking."