PRISON SENTENCE FOR FORMER IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL WHO TOOK BRIBES

Heavy prison sentence for former officer is a warning to all those who get a bit too cozy with those who want to get special treatment.


CANOE -- CNEWS: - Ex-immigration official gets prison time for taking bribes

Ex-immigration official gets prison time for taking bribes

By Megan Gillis, Ottawa Sun

The Ottawa Courthouse on Elgin St. (Ottawa Sun file photo)

OTTAWA — A "scheming" and "corrupt" former immigration department manager was led out sobbing Thursday after a judge sentenced her to four years in prison for taking bribes to give newcomers special treatment. Diane Serre's crimes attack the heart of our country, Judge Catherine Aitken said. “This case is about fundamental Canadian values — values such as integrity, objectivity and impartiality in the operation of our public institutions," she said. "The illegal conduct that you engaged in as a member of our public service breached the duty you owed to all Canadians and to all newcomers to uphold these values we all hold so dear." Aitken convicted Serre of charges including fraud and breach of trust for 10 cases handled by Ottawa's citizenship and immigration department office in 2003 and 2004. In some of the cases Serre took bribes to simply speed up processing of a file. But in others she granted work and residency permits that newcomers weren't entitled to receive.