A B.C. greenhouse wholesaler has sued an employee for allegedly misappropriating nearly $7.2 million in a scheme claimed to involve fake invoices and a sham company. Filed Feb. 18 at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, the suit claims Burnaby Lake Greenhouses Ltd. hired Duane Ingram more than 35 years ago.
Now based in Surrey, B.C., the family business traces its roots back to 1951, when the Dutch founders launched what would become a wholesale supplier of tropical and potted plants, foliage and cut flowers. The business is a major supplier to Western Canada, selling to independent stores and big retailers like Safeway, Save-on-Foods and Costco.
Four years into the job, Ingram was promoted to head of the cut flowers department, the suit says. Among other duties, he was responsible for entering into contracts with vendors, confirming deliveries, and signing off invoices.
Over the past 14 years, the plaintiffs claim Ingram regularly billed one of their vendors, Mac Greenery, for foliage that would be added to flower bouquets. He would then submit extra invoices and request signed cheques be given to him and made payable to Mac Greenery, alleges the suit.
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