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I found it curious that the Mint did not offer any assurance this week that, as a Crown corporation, it has the utmost concern for security and the latest technology to protect a valuable public asset. Or that it is reviewing measures in light of these allegations. So, mysteries abound. So does glitter: the Mint had revenues of $2.4 billion in 2014, the bulk of it from the sale of gold coins and bullion.

These accusations of theft laid in July sit uncomfortably with the 2009 news — covered nationally — that the Mint had 17,500 troy ounces of “unreconciled” gold product on its books. In other words, millions in gold was missing and the Mint was not entirely sure whether it was a record-keeping lag or some grand heist.

Even the RCMP was called in, finally concluding there was no evidence of a crime. Still, it looked bad.

“First and foremost,” said an audit report, completed after much hand-wringing, “it was determined that the unreconciled difference was not the result of criminal activities, either by theft, fraud or reasons relating to data manipulations of the IT systems.”

Well, if you say so.

There was, too, a case in 1990 when a janitor was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing $30,000 in gold from the Mint.

Court was told Revenue Canada investigators found George Allen, then 59, had roughly $150,000 in unexplained income between 1985 and 1988, not to mention some fancy toys, like a $37,000 boat and a $27,000 trailer.

Similarly, a Mint security officer told court there was no way to know how much gold, in total, had gone missing.

At this sentencing, the court heard that Allen, a 23-year veteran, was nabbed by a new walk-through metal detector. When it set off, an inspection found Allen was hiding something in his briefs. A search found 49 ounces of gold in his locker.

Gary Barnes has been retained as Lawrence’s defence lawyer. He said his client, who is not in custody, intends to plead not guilty.

To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-726-5896 or email kegan@ottawacitizen.com

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