The Local Government Commission (LGC) has sent five staffers of the Georgetown Mayor & City Council (M&CC) on administrative leave following the discovery of financial loopholes.
During today’s statutory meeting, Mayor Ubraj Narine stated that the discovery was made by the City Treasurer, John Douglas, and acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick.
He explained that the matter was reported to the LGC, who sent the employees on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. In fact, Mayor Narine promised that the police will be called in if the investigations find these staff guilty of the crime.
In January last, the LGC had taken disciplinary actions against City Treasurer John Douglas, Iva Bryan, Sonia Pit, Yolanda Forde, Clerk of Markets Sherlock Lovell along with Felicia McRae after monies belonging to the Council were found in a bag in one of the entity’s vehicles.
According to reports, on June 20, 2019, a bag with revenues collected from Bourda Market was found in the vehicle of the Chief Constable inside City Hall’s compound bearing the M& CC seal. At the time, the bank drop had already been made, and the bag with the money was not deposited as was required.
A complaint was lodged at the LGC, and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, the Commission found that Foo, along with officers, had breached the standard operating procedure.
It stated that the Chief Constable’s inaction included, but were not limited to his failure to formulate and implement a modern security plan to guard the Council’s assets; his continued failure to adhere to the Council’s decisions concerning the acting appointment of the Deputy Chief Constable; his continued unwillingness to work with the Council to ensure that there were order and peace both within the Council and on the streets of Georgetown; and his failure to adequately supervise the Council’s constabulary, which had been the subject of public ridicule.
