A former finance clerk at the City of Surrey who also worked as a part-time pastry chef is facing charges for allegedly misappropriating taxpayer funds for her cake-baking business. Sunny Catlin has been accused of breaching trust, committing fraud, theft, and forgery involving around $2.5 million that went missing from city hall.
The Surrey Police Service announced the charges after an investigation that commenced in January 2024, triggered by suspicions raised when Catlin abruptly left her job following questions about a possibly forged signature on documents. An examination of records revealed 183 fraudulent cheques written to Catlin under her former legal name, her mother, and her side business, drawing from dormant accounts.
Catlin is scheduled to appear in court next week to address the charges. The investigation was initiated after the city’s chief financial officer reported fraudulent activities within the finance department. Court documents allege that Catlin had been engaging in fraudulent activities since 2017, exploiting her position to defraud the city of over $2 million.
It is claimed that Catlin manipulated the civic deposit process to benefit herself by altering payee names on cheques issued by the city. Following suspicions of forgery, Catlin was suspended without pay, and subsequent investigations led to the discovery of numerous irregularities in the payment system.
The City of Surrey, in response to the alleged fraud, emphasized its commitment to fiscal responsibility and protecting taxpayer funds. Legal action was taken against Catlin and her mother in February 2024, although specific details of the lawsuit remain undisclosed. Catlin and her mother have denied the allegations of fraud and wrongdoing, with none of the accusations having been proven in court.