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“The director was aware of previous instances of Saunders’ misconduct but failed to implement adequate supervision and controls that would have detected Saunders’ misconduct in a timely fashion,” the statement of claim said.

“Once Saunders’ misconduct was detected, the director failed to move expeditiously to review and restrain Saunders and failed to advise the plaintiff and ameliorate his or her position in a timely fashion, which exacerbated and prolonged the harms caused by Saunders.”

Vancouver lawyer Jason Gratl, acting for the public guardian, said they had identified roughly 24 youths who were victimized by Saunders, but there may be as many as 90, most First Nations.

He added that sums of between $30,000 and $40,000 were involved in each case.

“The money is one aspect of things, but the other is the children were deprived of suitable accommodation, food and clothing for that period,” Gratl said.

“No one expects any government institution to be completely immune from bad apples or rogue employees, but once a fraud, a misconduct is detected, the ministry has to take immediate steps to address the situation. Here, the ministry failed to do so. It’s my understanding (Saunders) is no longer employed by the ministry.”

He would not comment on why the ministry had not produced a list of potential victims.

“We’d like to move swiftly to address this problem in a way that doesn’t make difficult and traumatic circumstances for these children even more difficult and more traumatic,” Gratl insisted. “We do expect the ministry to cooperate in seeking a resolution.”