MLSE Investigating Whether Employees Pocketed PSL Sales Funds

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which last week fired five employees, suspended another and accepted the resignation of Dir of Sales & Service Jim Edmands, is "investigating whether its employees pocketed money from the sale" of PSLs, according to Rick Westhead of the TORONTO STAR. MLSE last week confirmed that it was "investigating its ticket sales department but has since repeatedly declined to elaborate." One source said that the firings have "put MLSE executives 'in lockdown mode,'" while another source indicated that MLSE officials are "combing through years' worth of employees' emails and hauling staff members into conference rooms for taped interviews." A Toronto police spokesperson this week confirmed that the fraud unit has "contacted MLSE officials to ask whether they believe criminal activity has taken place." NHLPA Exec Dir Paul Kelly said that the union "plans to ask MLSE whether any potentially misappropriated money should have gone to the players" (TORONTO STAR, 4/10).