CNIB lottery kiosk operator accuses charity of intimidation

A former CNIB lottery kiosk operator says the charity is trying to intimidate her into paying back money she doesn't owe.

Samantha Russell, of Bathurst, is one of four former kiosk operators in the Maritimes who was sued by the CNIB.

The national charity says it was missing a total of about $100,000.

It's seeking$16,595.64 from Russell.The CNIB has said it's not accusing operators of stealing money, but says they are contractually obliged to cover losses.

In a counterclaim filed in New Brunswick court, Russell says CNIB "terminated her employment without just cause in an attempt to increase her vulnerability and increase susceptibility to the intimidation."

The claim says CNIB was high-handed and callous and its treatment of her caused health issues as well as public humiliation.

None of the claims has been proven in court.

Interview requests refused

CNIB has repeatedly refused interview requests from CBC about the controversy swirling around its missing money but in recently published statements, it defends its legal fight.

In a statement sent to P.E.I. newspapers,Pamela Gow-Boyd, executive director and regional vice presidentfor CNIB's Atlantic region, says the CNIB commissioned Deloitte Canada to perform a forensic review of two Summerside cases in February.

CNIB has not released the review, but Gow-Boydsaid, "Deloitte's review validates CNIB's numbers which demonstrate significant losses in the Summerside lottery kiosk."

The CNIB has sued one former Summerside kiosk operator.

It's demanded payment from a second, after she hired a lawyer to recover money she says CNIB wrongfully deducted from her pay.

Gow-Boyd goes on to say the review "sourced information regarding sales and deposits from external sources; specifically the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and Scotiabank."

According to the statement,ALC records the sales at each kiosk and Scotiabank records deposits.

However, the statement doesn't say if Deloitte was able to identify where the money went.

Lawyer questions report

Stephen Ellis, who represents both of the former Summerside kiosk operators, one of them his mother, says he questions the reliability of the report.

"We all agree money is missing." Ellis said. "We just disagree on where it went."

Ellis says Deloitte made no attempt to contact the operators as part of its review, something Ellis says should have been done.

"Without having thoroughly worked with and questioned the kiosk operators, the reliability of such reports is in serious question," he said.

CNIB has already reached agreements with two other kiosk operators in Nova Scotia.It's negotiating a settlement with a third.

CNIB says it's taken action to strengthen its review processes.