The Mission home where high-risk sex offender James Conway is currently living is now at the center of an internal investigation after Global News learned the home was purchased by an employee of the company who handles Conway’s housing and care.
WJS Canada, the company contracted by Community Living BC, is now investigating an employee who purchased the home just weeks before moving Conway in.
Lynett Stucky-Mack, a B.C. manager at WJS, privately purchased the home in July and registered her name in the land title just days before Conway moved in at the end of the month.
WJS benefits by having a landlord that will put up with the controversy. In exchange, Stucky-Mack also gets to build equity in her investment, with a guaranteed lease paid by taxpayers.
On the title of the property that is housing Conway, Stucky-Mack listed another Mission home as her primary address. But a land title search reveals the home isn’t in her name – instead it is registered to Anne Nikon, WJS’s national executive director, board member, and shareholder.
Neighbours say Stucky-Mack and Nikon have been living together in the house for years.
Global News tried to speak with either of the women, but both were apparently on vacation.
After staying mum on the developing story for days, WJS has now issued a statement, saying they have placed both Nikon and Stucky-Mack on administrative leave.
“WJS is currently conducting an internal investigation into the matter to determine if there has been a breach of our policies and a potential conflict of interest. The individuals involved have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation,” said the statement.
“We are confident that this is an isolated incident and any investigation into our business practices will confirm this… In the case of Mr. Conway we carefully took into account all the judge’s conditions for release and have done our best to address community concerns while giving our client a chance at a life outside the criminal justice system.”
WJS says they intend to fully cooperate with the investigation by Community Living BC and will be “completely transparent” in providing any information requested.
Provincial agency Community Living BC awarded WJS nearly $9 million in contracts in the last fiscal year alone.
NDP justice critic Mike Farnworth is concerned about the conflict-of-interest.
“When you have those kind of connections in a situation like this, I mean the perception, if nothing else alone, the perception that this is not up front, this is not transparent can’t be ignored,” he said.
And while the investigation takes place, child sex offender Conway will continue to live in the home, just minutes from local schools, while 13 other possible locations were dismissed by WJS.
–With files from John Hua
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