Burrowes hands over fraud findings to Minister

Jun 15, 2009 News

The investigation into the recently uncovered multi-million dollar fraud at City Hall is likely to move to another level this week, with Commissioner of Inquiry, Keith Burrowes, disclosing that he has handed over a report on the matter to Local Government Minister, Kellawan Lall.

According to Burrowes in an invited comment yesterday, he has since written to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, under whose purview he operates, detailing his findings.

The Commissioner revealed that he has been able to provide the Minister with a comprehensive report of the Preliminary Findings of his investigation with supporting documentations, which on the surface suggest that fraudulent acts were carried out at the municipality.

According to Burrowes, he has worked closely with the Police during his investigation, adding that the matter is now in the hands of the Minister, who is also likely to incorporate the service of the Police in further addressing the matter.

In the meantime, Burrowes disclosed that he continues to amend the Commission of Inquiry report.

The report was earlier presented to the Minister, detailing recommendations as it relates to improving the operation of the municipality and of the fate of the substantive City Treasurer and Town Clerk.

However, his concerns were aroused over certain particulars of a contract the municipality has with a foreign firm to put in place an Information Technology Programme, which prompted him to reveal his intent to amend the report.

The Commissioner had also indicated his willingness to offer some assistance in having his lawyers look at the contract with the possibility of re-negotiating the terms of the contract with the IT Company.

However, it was the discovery of the suspected fraudulent act just over a week ago that served to prolong the completion of the inquiry which commenced some 10 months ago.

And according to the Commissioner, while the period for the inquiry will not be limitless, he refuses to work within a timeframe, especially in the wake of the recent discovery.

Burrowes divulged that the Commission’s approach to the continuance of the inquiry, is to seek out any evidence of other fraudulent acts. In fact, he disclosed that the Commission was always aware that there was some level of manipulation of the system based on its findings. However, because of the lack of relevant information, Burrowes disclosed that the Commission was unable to finger specific situations.

Currently, the Commission is focusing on matters such as the issuance of compliances and the waiving of interest to determine whether they were done within the guidelines of the Municipal Act Chapter 28:01.

Burrowes pointed out yesterday that although concerns have been constantly raised about the delay in the handing over of the report, the Commission cannot complete it and ignore the many glaring facts that have been unveiled.

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Burrowes hands over fraud findings to Minister

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