A former constable was sentenced Monday to two years' house arrest for submitting $225,000 in false overtime and court attendance claims to the Edmonton Police Service.
Riccardo Zenari pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 for forging his supervisor's signature on 71 false court attendance and 237 false overtime claims between Jan. 10, 2008 and Feb. 24, 2011.
The court heard that Zenari used the money to help his wife conceive a second child after seven miscarriages, by purchasing organic foods and creating "non-synthetic surroundings," so she could have what she called a "chemical-free healthier life."
After he was charged, Zenari quit the force. He paid the money back by selling his home and furniture and borrowing $160,000 from family members.
These circumstances convinced Provincial Court Judge Ferne LeReverend not to send Zenari to jail.
"Mr. Zenari did not commit the frauds out of greed or even for a luxurious lifestyle," the judge wrote in her decision.
"He is financially ruined and owes money to family. He has lost his reputation and job as a police officer. He has been humiliated."
The false claims were discovered through an internal audit that is performed to ensure officers are not burning out due to working excessive amounts of overtime.
Zenari was the highest paid officer in the entire Edmonton Police Service which raised suspicions among managers who were familiar with his work habits.
According to the agreed statement of facts, some of the managers whose signatures were forged weren't working or even in the country when the claims were approved.
Zenari resigned from Edmonton Police two days before he was charged on March 18, 2011
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