Latest update November 16th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- AFC’s leader, Hughes promises to prioritize country’s interest above Exxon’s as law firm remains on company’s payroll
- Norton not opposed to referendum on renegotiation of oil contract
- Israel ramps up attacks on Lebanon as officials study US ceasefire plan
- Broken sluice door causes flooding in five WCB communities
- Miner dies after pit caves in at Issano Backdam
Public Service Ministry fraud now in excess of $500M
Questioned: Dr. Jennifer Westford
Police investigations into the disappearance of tens of millions of dollars from the Public Service Ministry have now widened to include additional sums.
The tally has now gone beyond $500M, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said yesterday.
Police, who are handling the probe, have a team working at the Ministry of the Presidency to follow the money trail.
Several staffers as well as former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford and her ex-assistant, Margaret Cummings, are being questioned.
Harmon yesterday explained that initially, after it appeared something was wrong, police were given the files. They were working on a figure of over $120M.
The sums were withdrawn this year from the Ministry of Public Service accounts. It had been transferred from what was known as the Office of the President and was to be used for training of workers in the various regions. However, there was no evidence that the regions were in receipt.
Checks were also made on withdrawals going back to 2012. The amount that cannot to be accounted for is in excess of $500M, Harmon said.
Last week, both Westford and Cummings were questioned by police and released on bail.
Police sleuths would have wanted to know what role, if any, the two played in the withdrawals.
It was only two weeks ago that both of the women appeared in court charged with the illegal transfer of eight vehicles belonging to the state. They were placed on a total of $2M in bail.
Several persons from the Public Service Ministry who are involved in preparing documents for payments have been questioned.
The new administration has said that it is investigating a number of irregularities at state agencies including the Guyana Oil Company and the Guyana Power and Light Inc.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Where is the talent in the PPP?
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and its exuberant General Secretary, Bharrat... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
