CoI receives report of Royston King’s return to City Hall during probe

Nov 19, 2018 News

An investigation has been launched into the presence of embattled Town Clerk, Royston King’s at City Hall after being sent on administrative leave to facilitate a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the affairs of City Hall.

Embattled Town Clerk, Royston King

Kaieteur News understands that King was seen at City Hall on Friday, November 9, just days before the Local Government Elections (LGE) were held. According to information, King’s presence at City Hall while on administration leave sparked concerns relating to the ongoing probe.
According to information, the COI has been made aware of the matter. As to what action is taken, one will have to await the CoI’s report, which will include several recommendations to the Local Government Commission (LGC), which ordered the investigation.
Reports suggest that King was seen in conversation with the Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry- Munroe, who is yet to provide a number of documents requested by the CoI regarding transactions undertaken by King and other senior city officials.
Financial mismanagement is at the top of the agenda of the Commission of Inquiry, (COI) into the operation of City Hall.
The LGC headed by Mortimer Mingo, took the decision to launch the COI after a series of complaints about the financial matters at City Hall. According to Mingo, the Commission had been receiving complaints of corruption at City Hall for several months.
He noted that there are complaints against the Town Clerk for mismanagement of funds, and abuse of his authority.
Retired Justice Cecil Kennard is conducting the inquiry into the administration and operations of the M&CC.
The Terms of Reference of the Commission include a mandate to investigate the administration and operations of the City of Georgetown; the reason for and the process by which a motion of no confidence on the Town Clerk was dealt with by the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown; and generally, to investigate any matter that may be brought to the attention of the Commissioner during the Inquiry that would adversely affect the administration and operation of the Municipality.
Additionally, the CoI has been receiving information regarding King’s modus operandi.
He has been implicated in a highly suspicious deal where he reportedly collected $6.8M from Brian and Ingrid Chase Mining and Trucking for the sale of lands identified as Government reserve.
King is accused of diverting the monies from the land deal through his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and then attempting to cover his tracks by issuing a backdated lease for the property when he became Town Clerk.
The land is located along Aubrey Barker Road, North Ruimveldt.
Payment started in 2013 while King was serving as the Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

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