BC - Kamloops Company Probed In High-Tech Log Scam

Three men associated with a Kamloops log-handling company are facing serious charges following a lengthy investigation by the RCMP and the B.C. Ministry of Forests

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Kamloops Company Probed In High-Tech Log Scam

By Tim Petruk - Kamloops This Week
Published: July 09, 2009

Caption: Three men associated with a Kamloops log-handling company are facing serious charges following a lengthy investigation by the RCMP and the B.C. Ministry of Forests. RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said the trio, who work for Kamloops-based OK Log Sort Ltd., hacked a computer program to find out when their shipments would undergo random checks allowing them to pass low-grade logs off at a higher stumpage rate. KTW PHOTO

Three men associated with a Kamloops log-handling company are facing serious charges following a lengthy investigation by the RCMP and the B.C. Ministry of Forests.

RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen said the trio, who work for Kamloops-based OK Log Sort Ltd., hacked a computer program to find out when their shipments would undergo random checks allowing them to pass low-grade logs off at a higher stumpage rate.

"The allegations are that these three individuals with the company manipulated the software program," Thiessen said.

"By knowing when that computer was going to make the random checks, we're alleging they allowed poor-grade lumber to go through."

Investigators believe the province was bilked out of as much as $600,000.

Facing criminal charges of fraud over $5,000 are Kenneth Henning Anderson, Kevin Leon Anderson and Gregory Dale Spyker, alleged to be the owners of OK Log Sort Ltd.

The investigation began after a complaint made by the Ministry of Forests to the RCMP.

Thiessen said he has never seen an investigation like the one into the Kamloops business.

"It's somewhat unique in that it's a high-tech forestry-related crime," he said.

"It's not something that I think we have investigated before."

Anderson, Anderson and Spyker are scheduled to appear in Penticton provincial court next month.

This article found on:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_thompson_nicola/kamloopsthisweek/news/50379637.html

Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.bclocalnews.com

Category: Forestry>Ilegal Logging & Timber Theft

Region: BC - Canada

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