White Collar Allegation - Advice Needed!

[Prydwen]

I just started a terrific, new job. It took a long time to get this position and I have been working so hard at it and feeling proud.

Well, I've had my new job for a month when previous employer telephoned me AT WORK to say that I must meet her on Tuesday next week as she alleges there is missing cash entries that I am responsible for and she would like me to explain prior to "pursuing the matter further".

I do not have any money saved, (like I said I've only had my new job a month) so no lawyer will represent me, AND I now make too much annually to be eligible for legal aid.

All I want is my new job to not be in jeopardy, and these allegations kept private from my current employer.

I believe the ex-employer will contact my current employer. I am in Canada and a lawyer did give me legal advice over the phone saying I should make restitution because white-collar crime is so serious in BC (Canada).

Please, any advice would be so valuable !

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

I would like to help you, if I can, but you have not provided enough information for me to do so. There is no seeming connection between white collare crime and what you wrote so far. The other attorney you refer to may be correct, but maybe not. If you care to leave more information here maybe I can help you.

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Mark B. Replogle

 

[Prydwen]

As per Mark's response, I am providing more details.

Firstly, the lawyer that gave me the free telephone advice said that my alleged crime was a white collar crime. Any monetary losses of a person's employer is a breech of trust, and highly serious - whether it was intentional or not.

I am being accused of "missing entries" whereas money has disappeared. I worked at six sites with this employer - all were in different municipalities. Sometimes, I worked alone but mostly I worked with other staff.

My duties were to take customer payments whether by credit card, debit card or cash. I had the discretionary responsibility of waiving late fees, and issuing free monthly rentals when applicable.

I know, I inadvertantly lost a bank deposit (accidentally dropped in a mail box with the mail, which was never recovered).

I know I had accidentally double charged a customers credit card as well, because of the volume, declined, etc. It was an innocent oversight that of us, committed at one time or another.

I think this is what I will be facing in my meeting with my ex-employer. But I would like the chance to say I am innocent and should not be held accountable for mistakes. I just don't want my current employer to be made aware of my ex-employers accusations.

I can't afford a lawyer as I have no savings account yet, and I can't apply for legal aid because I make too much money so I am in a bind for legal advice.

I admit to no wrong-doings whatsoever, but would like my reputation kept in check and will do whatever it takes to maintain that.

 

[half_life]

I understand your situation, I'm somewhat in the same predicament. The only thing is they can prosecute me if they think it just.
I'm waiting on the result and I'm hoping for my family sake because I can' afford an attorney either that they just fire me. I am currently working for a new company myself and am embarrassed if word gets to them because the CEO really likes the job I'm doing. Hang in there. He can't call
your new job & start bad mouthing you since they did not prosecute you or anything in that manner. He just needs someone to blame.

 

[Prydwen]

Just to provide an update to my dilemma. I just met with the ex-employer and it's worse than I thought. She has $1,000.00 worth of missing entries, whereas customers paid cash but the amount was charged on someone else's credit card.

I explained that it must have been an error and that it couldn't have all been my errors. She said she seen it before "money being moved around" and she vehemently states it's not an error but a deliberate theft.

I told her I did nothing wrong and that was that. She disagreed and said she was waiting for a couple more pieces of paper (evidence) and then she will be taking it to the police for prosecution.

She said each entry occured while I was on shift or when I was alone. So now, I must wait for the police to arrest me I suppose.

I just don't want them to come to my new workplace. Like I said, this new job is the best I've ever had and I don't want to lose it.

Any ideas as to what the results will be????

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