Mayor Wagner says there’s no problem with auditors

There is no truth to the report of financial misconduct or mismanagement at City Hall. That’s what Mayor Bernard Wagner said today when he was asked about it. It comes in the wake of reports that the council’s leading auditor, Marilyn Gentle-Garvin left the council because of a rift between her and the council. The Mayor said that her contract expired and it wasn’t renewed. He also discussed the departure of Travis Lennan, who also worked in the department. 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “Garvin contract expired and Ms.Garvin didn’t have any indication that she wanted to continue here and we had very good relationship with Ms.Garvin. I spoke to Ms.Garvin just a week ago. We have always been a transparent council, the most transparent council ever and we’ve concluded our audit. Our audit will be made public and you will see that whatever rumors you hear out there it’s totally untrue.”

Reporter: Just to clarify sir the reports suggested that Mrs.Garvin’s departure is premised on the fact that there has been some disagreements in how council has spent some of the funds. Just if you can sort of clarify some of that for us.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “The council is a duly elected council and all spending bills go to the council for approval. The council has the mandate by the people to make policies, to make decisions and that is where we go by. Travis Lennon was an auditor and he lives in Belmopan. He came to me he said “Mayor the commuting is very tough. I have a job offer in Belmopan.” So I told him Travis you are my good friend I would wish to have you with my forever but your family comes first and that is the end of the story with Travis. He wanted to be closer to his family, closer to his residence.”

Reporter: And I’m assuming that a replacement will come shortly ?

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “Of course. We do believe that the audit is an important arm of the council the internal audit but we also have external audit and we have one of the best external audit in Cedri Flowers and he concluded his audit and that will be made public very shortly. It will be for consumption.”