

Paul Johnston , CP24.com





Over $100,000 in property has been recovered and four people, including two current TTC employees, have been charged in connection with a fraud and theft investigation dubbed “Project Rocket.”

According to police, TTC employees were making purchases of equipment for personal use that were not used for work conducted by the transit agency.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, TTC CEO Andy Byford expressed “profound disappointment” of the news.

“It is alleged that over the course of several years, these individuals stole, defrauded and attempted to circumvent TTC purchasing policies and authorities, harming our collective reputation and the public’s trust in the process,” Byford said.

“I have given direction to my executive team that they are to offer any and all resources required by investigators to flush out others who may been party to these crimes.”

Byford also announced the implementation of a whistleblower policy and a code of ethics to be implemented this fall.

“I am also announcing today that mandatory ethics training for all supervisory and management staff be developed in consultation with the City of Toronto and the city auditor general, also for implementation this fall,” the release adds.

On Wednesday, warrants were executed in Toronto, Mississauga and Penetanguishene in connection with the case.

Amadeo Cuschieri, 55, of Mississauga, faces five charges, including theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Steve Cuschieri, 34, of Mississauga, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Toronto resident 50-year-old Dan Doron is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

Maciej Zych, 49, of Mississauga, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit and indictable offence.

Amadeo Cuschieri is a retired TTC employee, while Steve Cuschieri and Zych are currently employed by the transit agency. Both are currently suspended.

Warrants have also been issued for two additional suspects.

John Barrie Mulhall, 66, of Toronto, is wanted for theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and criminal breach of trust.

Uxbridge resident Lorenzo Lamanna, 56, is sought for theft under $ 5,000 and fraud under $5,000.

Both Mulhall and Lamanna are retired TTC employees.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).