An investigation last year revealed that 15 persons submitted fictitious documents for the importation of luxury vehicles and breached other conditions but there appears to have been no movement by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the scam, according to the Auditor-General’s report for 2014.
“A special investigation was conducted into allegations involving tax exemptions granted on luxury vehicles to remigrants between 2008 and 2013. Investigations revealed that fifteen remigrants apparently submitted fictitious documents for the importation of luxury vehicles, and also breached the conditions under which the relevant tax exemptions were granted,” the report said.
“A preliminary report was issued to the Board of Directors of the Guyana Revenue Authority with recommendations for appropriate disciplinary action against culpable officers, as well as taking action to recover taxes. At the time of reporting, the position remained the same,” the report added.
Earlier this year, Stabroek News reported that despite all assurances that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation of suspected abuses of duty-free concessions given under the remigrant scheme, months have elapsed and no information has been released as to the possible involvement of then Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall and other members of the then PPP/C government in any of the cases.
Nandlall was linked to the investigation after it was revealed that his uncle, Kamal Mangal, despite rarely being in Guyana used Nandlall’s Prashad Nagar address when filling out the concession registration for a luxury Sports Utility Vehicle.
Though it was said that other government officials were part of the investigation, names were never released. It was stated by sources that it was the flood of luxury vehicles on the roads that prompted the decision to probe the period to see whether there was an abuse of duty-free concessions to remigrants. This newspaper had requested information on the number of persons being investigated. However, Auditor-General Deodat Sharma had indicated that he could not disclose information since the investigation is an active one.
Last November, Sharma revealed that roughly 15 to 20 persons had been investigated further after an initial inquiry. He did not give any details as to who these persons might be.
Further, he said his office has already submitted two interim reports to the board of the GRA. The contents of these reports are unclear.
The probe seemingly zeroed in on Kaieteur News publisher Glen Lall and his wife, Bhena, along with their remigrant friends Narootandeo Brijnanan and his wife Gharbassi. Their matter was later settled.
