Fraud investigation extends to North Bay

The North Bay Police Service is now investigating a city man who was charged with fraud in Sudbury.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service charged 38-year-old Stephen Brown with fraud and forgery charges following a nine-month investigation.

Sudbury police allege that Brown, the former owner of a Liberty Tax Services outlet in the nickel city, is accused of defrauding $21,632.42 from the outlet between Nov. 4, 2003 and March 1, 2004.

North Bay Police Service spokesman Yvan Montcalm said Det. Cst. Greg McClenaghan has been assigned to the case locally and is in the process of interviewing people to see if any fraud has been perpetrated in North Bay.

So far McClenaghan has interviewed 75 out of 110-120 people.

Sudbury police allege that Brown used his position to create forged cheques using the names of former tax clients. The cheques, police contend, were then redirected into the Brown's bank account so it would appear he had received payment from Liberty Tax Services.

Police said that none of the clients' names that were used lost any monies.

Brown been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000 and 25 counts of forging documents.

He's scheduled to appear in Sudbury court May 18.