$80K Stolen from Transport Office in Spanish Lookout, Investigation Underway

Nine months ago, the Ministry of Transport opened its office in Spanish Lookout, Cayo District.  Today, however, an investigation is ongoing after an audit revealed that more than eighty thousand dollars were stolen from that office.  Love News understands that there may be more than one employee involved in the theft.  Reports say that the audit was triggered after several businessmen in Spanish Lookout called a meeting with the former minister.  In that meeting, it was reported that while the receipts issued to them were made out for the right amount, an incorrect sum was registered in the system.  Chief Executive Officer, Chester Williams spoke to Love News on the situation, and explained that the main suspect in the matter remains on duty as any further action would be dependent on the Public Service Commission and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “The audit revealed that a large sum of money was pilfered  perhaps by the person who was in charge of the cashier at that office. I had gone through the audit report as a copy was provided to me and from reading the audit report I saw a number of discrepancies and issues that I believe ought to have been addressed much earlier than when I came. Nonetheless,  when I came the person concerned  was on suspension. Apparently she was placed on suspension for three months.   But while she was suspended, nothing was done in order to take disciplinary action against her for the allegations that  surrounded her. I know that yes there was a report made to the police in respect of the information and police are investigating. I’ve seen a memorandum from the DPP’s office where the DPP has given the police further instructions to do additional investigation and the police are carrying out those instructions as we speak. But my thing is that while we do have the criminal investigation ongoing we should also be looking at the internal aspect of it to run parallel with the criminal investigation. So what I have done is that I have since wrote the the officer who was the cashier, her supervisor, along with another officer who worked at the office and asking all of them to show show cause why in light of the allegation, disciplinary action should not be taken against them. They’ll be given 14 days to reply to that letter that I have sent them, the show cause letter. Following that, I will receive their replies and then based on what is written back to me then we decide whether or not there’s going to be discipline action taken against them. So the ball is now in motion. It’s a matter for them now to explain, to explicate themselves as the case may be. If not, then the matter goes to the Public Service Commission.”

The recent audit covers a period from 2021 to 2024.  As it relates to recovering the monies that went missing, CEO Williams says it would be a challenge, but that they would look at the possibilities.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “It’s going to be difficult certainly. We’ll have to see if we can get FIU involved and again that will come through the police investigation to look at whatever asset that they may have amassed during the period of time. This investigation goes all the way back to 2001 so it’s for a number of years and FIU will be a part of the police investigation we’ll see what happens when the matter goes to court. We saw what happened with the case with Ayuso from the sports council in Belize City. So if we can get something along that line then certainly it’s going to be good.”

As a correction to CEO’s statement, he had erred in saying the audit dates back to 2001; rather it should be 2021.