G2K calls for external financial audit of Manchester Municipal Corporation

Generation 2000 (G2K), the young professional affiliate of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), is calling for an external audit of the finances of the Manchester Municipal Corporation amid new allegations of fraud and corruption.

The call follows yesterday's announcement of the resignation of Deputy Mayor of Mandeville Ervin Facey and two other personnel from the corporation's accounts department. 

READ: Mandeville Deputy Mayor, Two Others Resign Amid Fraud Allegations

 Facey is also the People's National Party Councillor for the Spur Tree Division in the parish. 
 
“We understand that the police have been called in to investigate the most recent allegations of corruption at the Manchester Municipal Corporation. However, let us recall that there was a major investigation into corruption at the same Manchester Municipal Corporation just two years ago. It is evident that corruption is a systemic problem at the entity since the situation has not improved since," G2K President, Stephen Edwards, contended in a statement this afternoon.

"Questions, therefore, arise about how many more financial breaches have occurred since the last investigation. It is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Jamaica that external auditors be called in to expand the investigation beyond the reported incident,” Edwards added. 

In 2016, investigators from Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency, the Financial Investigations Division and officers from the Office of the Contractor General all conducted investigations at the Manchester Municipal Corporation which led to several employees being arrested and charged in relation to a grand conspiracy and fraud at the entity which reached $95 million. 
 
“Simply resigning as Deputy Mayor is insufficient as Mr. Facey’s position as a sitting Councillor may exert undue influence and possibly compromise the integrity of the ongoing corruption investigation. Mr. Facey should, therefore, resign also as Councillor of the Spur Tree Division to facilitate the investigation and to avoid bringing the Manchester Municipal Corporation into further disrepute,” said G2K Vice President, Edson Carr.
 
G2K is urging all persons who may have information that can assist the investigation to contact the police.

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