An internal investigation has implicated three employees of the City Treasurer’s Department in fraud and one of them has since walked off the job.
In July, it was announced that five employees from the City Treasurer’s Department had been sent on administrative leave following an allegation that they committed fraud.
City Treasurer John Douglas had made the discovery and alerted the Town Clerk, who then reported the allegation to Mayor Ubraj Narine and a decision was made to pursue further investigations into the allegation.
At a statutory meeting yesterday, Narine stated that an investigation was launched by the City Constabulary and three of the five persons accused were found to be responsible, while the remaining two were cleared.
The mastermind, who was one of the three persons implicated, subsequently walked off the job, he added.
The council yesterday voted to have the remaining two workers suspended, transferred to another department which does not handle cash, and reimburse the council its money, which is said to amount to under $100,000.
Councillor Clayton Hinds suggested that they be closely monitored for a year and a report done on a quarterly basis to assist in determining their fate.
This suggestion was approved by the council with a seven votes in its favour, and two against. Three other councillors abstained.
Narine said the probe found that the workers were aware of the illegal activities that were being done. He also said that the occurrence would see a new way of moving forward as it relates to the changing of cheques.
