Former South Asian centre president accused in $360K fraud, police say

The Windsor Police Service has charged the former president of the South Asian Centre of Windsor with defrauding the organization over a 12-year period.

"The Windsor Police Financial Crimes Unit launched an investigation in August 2023 after receiving a report that a one-time board member had stolen a large amount of money from the not-for-profit organization," the organization said in a news update Wednesday.

"Through their investigation, officers discovered that a total of $362,739 intended for the charity was instead deposited into the suspect's personal bank accounts."

It is alleged the fraud occurred from September 2011 until June 2023.

In a statement, the South Asian Centre of Windsor (SACW) confirmed the charges stem from an investigation into missing funds.

"Financial irregularities" were discovered after Sushil Jain resigned as president in April.

Police were contacted after the accused "refused to cooperate and provide accounting for the missing funds," the organization stated.

"SACW has implemented new financial controls to prevent future misconduct and is determined to recover the misappropriated funds," said Fazle Baki, now president of the organization.

Jain, 81, of Windsor, is alleged to have defrauded the charity out of more than $362,000. The allegations have not been tested in court.

He was arrested on Feb. 13 and is charged with fraud over $5,000, laundering the proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime.

Jain declined to comment at this time when reached by phone on Wednesday.