Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Sep 23/05) - A top-ranking transportation official in the Dehcho was fired last week after a two-month internal investigation into the "misuse" of public equipment.

While the government declined to release his name, the Drum has learned Gerald Perron, Dehcho regional superintendent for the department of Transportation, was fired Sept. 12 along with a second department employee who was also under investigation.

When the Drum reached him at home Friday, Perron said he could not discuss the case.

"This is something I have to talk with my union about," he said. "I can't really say anything at this point, but maybe next week."

Transportation minister Michael McLeod declined Friday to confirm the names of the workers or discuss the reasons for their dismissal. He would only say two workers were fired for the "misuse of government equipment." The department of Transportation has several trucks and motor boats in Fort Simpson.

"This is a personnel matter that may end up in litigation," McLeod said. "According to government policy, the names of the employees and the details cannot be made public."

He confirmed the two workers were suspended earlier this summer pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The results of that probe were turned over to the RCMP, McLeod said.

However, those findings have not been forwarded to the Fort Simpson detachment, Cpl. Al Shepherd said Tuesday afternoon.

Messages to the RCMP Commercial Crimes unit in Yellowknife, which handles white collar investigations, were not immediately returned. No charges have been laid.

The government will also consider civil means to recover lost assets, though McLeod declined to put a figure on any losses.

Union of Northern Workers president Todd Parsons said Tuesday he was not familiar with the case. "Our normal course would be not to comment on individual grievances by our members," he said.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, whose riding includes Fort Simpson, criticized the department for not being more forthcoming with information and said officials owe taxpayers an explanation.

"If there was wrongdoing, the public should be made aware. The public needs to have confidence its employees are accountable," Menicoche said last week.

"There is a lesson that needs to be learned and can only happen when the details are made public."