News release

Forensic Audit of Strait Board Ordered

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

Education Minister Jane Purves and the Strait Regional School Board stepped up the investigation into the board's financial affairs by ordering a forensic audit.

Ms. Purves said PricewaterhouseCoopers will conduct the forensic review beginning today, Nov. 8. This is the minister's latest effort to determine the full extent of financial irregularities involving senior staff of that board.

"We've never seen a situation involving a school board that is as serious as this," said Ms. Purves. "This forensic audit is crucial in order to account for taxpayers' money intended for the classroom, and to give peace of mind to all Nova Scotians -- parents, teachers and students."

Ms. Purves said the audit will run parallel to the RCMP's investigation.

"We have evidence of problems dating back to 1996," said George Kehoe, newly elected chair of the Strait Board. "We need answers. How did this happen and how did it go unnoticed for so long?"

The forensic audit will include a rigorous investigation of the financial aspects of the situation in the Strait Regional School Board. The audit will provide recommendations for accounting and procedural changes and measures to increase accountability.

Members of the Halifax office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Patrick O'Neil and Abel Lazarus, will carry out the audit. Mr. O'Neil has more than 30 years of professional audit experience in Nova Scotia, including special consulting assignments for industry and government. Mr. Lazarus is a certified fraud examiner with more than seven years' experience in the Halifax, New York and Miami offices.