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Irregularities in various magisterial districts in 1992 still not resolved – PAC seeks closure

Jul 01, 2010 News

The Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament is seeking closure of the investigation into millions of dollars of irregularities that were uncovered at various magisterial districts in 1992.
The finance team of the Supreme Court of Guyana appeared before the PAC on Tuesday and stated that of the twelve cases that were discovered, some charges were never laid while some were thrown out of court and only one was pending before the High Court. However, the person who is alleged to have been involved cannot be located.
The irregularities covered a range of misconduct by staff members of the judicial sector and included misappropriation of funds; overpayment of disbursement of bail money; tampering of receipts; short banking; adjustment of records to reflect different amounts; conversion of funds to personal use; cheques written for higher amounts and alterations of amounts on case jackets and receipts issued. All told the sums involved totalled $22.5M
During the cross-examination, it was disclosed that the Police Department was written to by the Supreme Court but did not respond with the relevant information requested, thus delaying the closure of the matters still at hand.
The PAC suggested that discussions be held with the Chancellor of the Judiciary to find a solution whereby the cases could be written off the books.
For thirteen years, the issue has been repeatedly brought before the PAC with no resolution being reached.
The Committee advised that for those matters that have been dismissed and for those where no charges have been made, the Supreme Court should seek to remedy the documentation and have them taken off the books.
Regarding $243,900 in advances being allocated to persons in the Essequibo Magisterial District in 2001, this issue has also not been resolved.
The PAC was told, again, that when information was sought by the Finance Department, the answer was that there has been no documentation to reconstruct the expenses.
Additionally, there is no one in the system with information about it. It is understood that the amount was issued to magistrates and clerks as travelling expenses. The Supreme Court was advised to take up this matter also with the Legal Affairs Minister in an effort to bring closure to the issue.

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