Source: Newdemocratnews
Written by Staff
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Christopher Bailey is operating a secret account containing questionable transactions relative to the County Development fund, the General Auditing Commission has busted.
Auditor General John Morlu informed legislators (Grand Gedeh caucus) via a letter dated 9 July that Mr. Bailey’s converted account was uncovered following the GAC’s extended audit procedure and that he (Barley) has not disclosed its existence to auditors.
Mr. Morlu indicated in his communication that US$100,000 has been deposited into the said account with US$28,250.71 being withdrawn and allegedly used for “outstanding liabilities on county sports”.
Viewing the apparent dubious nature of the account and transaction thereto, the Auditor General has recommended to the Grand Gedeh County legislative caucus that the account be frozen until the ongoing audit is finalized.
Efforts exerted to contact Mr. Barley on these issues were unsuccessful but here’s the Auditor General’s full detail on the secret account:
“Senator William Sandy Chairman
Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus Capitol Building
Monrovia, Liberia
“GAC is completing the audits of the CDF for all counties, including Grand Gedeh. On 8 July 2010, as part of the final analysis of the bank statements, we obtained a bank statement from Ecobank, account number 10210138822012.
“The audit team was not informed of this bank account by Superintendent ‘Christopher B. Bailey. However, through an extended audit procedure, we obtained the bank statements for this second account.
In review of the analysis of this bank statement for Grand Gedeh County, we noted several transactions that require your immediate attention and action. On 9 November 2006, the amount of US$12,760 was deposited and expended by Superintendent Christopher B. Bailey.
On 12 December 2008, the amount of US$20,000 was taken as a loan and on 12 December 2008 the amount was withdrawn.
Furthermore, on 16 June 2010, an amount of US$100,000 was deposited. This amount was payment on the CDF by the Ministry of Finance. Of this amount, US$48,250.71 was withdrawn as payment for outstanding liability on County Sports.
We have not been provided evidence to indicate the substantive authority under which the US$20,000 loan was obtained and for what purpose it was expended. We also have not been provided substantive authority for the deposit and expenditure of the US$12,760. We further have not been provided the substantive authority for the payment of US$48,000 for “County Sports.”
Furthermore, we have not been provided the substantive authority under which the amount of US$100,000 of the CDF was deposited into this second account when all other CDF monies have been deposited in bank account number 10710040322014.
“I have attached the bank statement and recommend that a freeze be placed on both CDF accounts until the audit is finalized. This is intended to prevent fraud, waste and abuse in the management of the CDF for Grand Gedeh.
