Knowingly providing inaccurate information and offering money to a test administrator in exchange for a passing grade

Authority: This investigation was conducted under section 69 of the Public Service Employment Act, S.C. 2003, c.22, ss. 12 and 13.

Issue: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a candidate committed fraud during an advertised external appointment process. The process aimed to staff vacant positions in an officer trainee developmental program.

Conclusion: The investigation concluded that the candidate committed fraud during the appointment process when they knowingly provided inaccurate information on their application and when they offered a test administrator money in exchange for a passing grade. 

Facts: As part of the application process, the candidate had to respond to a series of screening questions. The candidate attempted to mislead the assessment board members by providing inaccurate information to many of the questions on the screening questionnaire. The candidate also falsely indicated in their application that they met several of the experience and post-secondary education requirements. 

During the course of the investigation, the candidate stated that they provided inaccurate information on the screening questions because they misunderstood some of the questions. However, they also admitted to not meeting some of the requirements they had claimed to meet in their application.

The evidence demonstrated that the candidate responded dishonestly in the screening questionnaire by providing false information in their application.

It was also alleged that the candidate attempted to have an exam result falsified by offering a test administrator money in exchange for a passing grade. The candidate denied having done so. However, the test administrator documented details of their conversation and submitted a written statement to the department after the conversation occurred.

The evidence demonstrated that, on the balance of probabilities, the candidate had communicated with a test administrator and offered them money in exchange for a passing grade. 

Corrective action:

Following the conclusion of fraud, the Commission ordered that:

• the candidate be eliminated from the appointment process
• for a period of 5 years, the individual must notify the Public Service Commission before accepting any position or work within the federal public service
  • failure to do so will result in the revocation of the appointment
• if the individual accepts a position or work in the federal public service within 5 years, they must complete the Values and Ethics Foundations for Employees course offered by the Canada School of Public Service, and then have a discussion with their director
  • failure to complete the course or to participate in the discussion will lead to the revocation of the appointment

Investigation File No.: 19-20-07