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FM
Former Member

Police to investigate City Hall’s Royston King

 

–over $36M in tax waivers to Beacon Foundation

AUDITOR-GENERAL, Mr. Deodat Sharma has confirmed that the case of City Hall Public Relations Officer, Mr. Royston King has been handed over to the police.In an invited comment, Sharma told the Guyana Chronicle that the Audit Office found that there was a clearly established case for a police investigation. He further stated that the case had been handed over to the relevant

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Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba

authorities.
In April 2013, it was alleged that King had signed a $36M tax waiver as the acting Town Clerk for an exemption of taxes to Beacon Foundation in the name of Beacon Chairman, Mr. Patrick de Groot.
The Auditor General confirming the alleged ‘fraudulent’ nature of King’s actions noted that, “we [Audit Office] had received the information, [and] the police were asked to look at the matter… The case was very straightforward.”
“The matter is with the police … [and] the police have started their investigation,” the Auditor General told this publication.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker had made clear that the facts of the case presented “prima facie evidence that things were not done in the right way.”

City Hall PRO, Royston King

City Hall PRO, Royston King

Whittaker recently disclosed to this publication that to his knowledge, “investigations [by the Audit Office] are continuing on the alleged signing” of the multimillion dollar tax waiver. The Minister had called on the Audit authorities to determine whether the case demanded the attention of the police.
“We, at the Ministry [of Local Government and Regional Development] essentially asked the Auditor General to conduct an inquiry to determine, indeed, if there was any irregularity,” Minister Whittaker disclosed.
A statement from acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, seen by this newspaper, confirmed that the letter which King had signed was for an exemption of payment of rates and taxes of Beacon Foundation at 127 Carmichael and Quamina Streets, South Cummingsburg to the Georgetown Mayor & City Council, in excess of some $36M.
In a series of circulated letters to the Auditor General and the Commissioner of Police, Minister Whittaker had asserted that the power to exempt owners of certain properties from liability to pay rates is vested either wholly or partially in the Council and not in the Town Clerk or any other singular officer.
The dispute over the Town Clerk’s appointment has spanned the tenures of three successive Local Government Ministers – Kellawan Lall, Ganga Persaud and Norman Whittaker.
In an e-mail to the Local Government Minister from the Principal Municipal Services Officer in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ms. Nandranie Harrichan, it was recalled that Ms. Yonette Pluck functioned as Town Clerk until July 25, 2012.
Pluck was sent on administrative leave from July 24, 2012 pending City Hall investigations.
Harrichan added that Carol Sooba had subsequently been appointed by then Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud to act as Town Clerk, replacing Pluck on July 25, 2012.
In a bizarre turn of events, the appointment of Royston King as the acting Town Clerk was also announced on July 25, 2012. King, however, had not lawfully held this position since his appointment required the approval of the Local Government Minister as mandated by the Municipal and District Councils Act Cap.28:01.
Since King was not legally appointed to the position of Town Clerk, it was determined that he would not have been authorised to make such a decision in the absence of the approval of the Council.
In any case, King would have issued the waiver to Beacon Foundation’s Patrick de Groot some 12 days before his ‘unlawful’ appointment by the Council, barring the consent of the Minister.
King had given all assurance, in a letter seen by this newspaper, to the Beacon Chairman that in keeping with Section 212 of the Municipal Act, Beacon Foundation had met the requirements to be granted exemption and further declared that “the council will have no objection to Beacon Foundation being granted exemption of rates.”

 

extracted from the Guyana Chronicle

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Did they charge Sooba for tiefin yet?

 

Probe into Sooba’s alleged misappropriation of funds continue

APRIL 1, 2014 | BY  | FILED UNDER NEWS 

Almost three months after allegations surfaced over the misappropriation of half a million dollars by Town Clerk of Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Carol Sooba, the Auditor General’s (AG) office says that investigations are ongoing into the matter.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

The AG, Deodat Sharma, told Kaieteur News that agents of his office are continuing their investigations, but no final report has been submitted on the matter. This newspaper understands that a request was made for Sooba to explain the basis under which she allegedly used the Council’s money for her own purposes, but it is unclear what her response has been.
However, according to the Council’s records, a January 8 (last) payment voucher #A114 was made payable to a named attorney in the amount of $500,000 as legal fees, “for professional services rendered” in relation to a court matter brought against Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk by the Council’s Public Relations Officer Royston King (Action #103-M).
The document was prepared and signed by the Council’s Finance Chairman Junior Garrett and Councilor Kamla Devi Ross. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green contends however, that once the Council did not authorize any transaction, “no councilor can authorize payments without the fiat of the Council, even if that councilor were the Chairman of the Finance Committee.” Chase-Green had written the AG calling for an investigation into the action, since the Council had been readily accused of corruption and has continuously expressed a cash-strapped position.
Assistant Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Mr. Oscar Clarke, had told Kaieteur News that he was unaware that money was being paid for legal services although he and the Finance Chairman are the persons authorized to approve expenditures for the Council.
He said that another member of the Finance Committee would sign off on Council spending only if the Chairman or Assistant Chairman is ill or absent, and, ‘I (Clarke) was none of the above.” He added also that signing off on Council expenses occur only if Council approves the funds; which was not the case.
The Council has stated also that the Town Clerk was not named as a party in King’s court case despite the fact that she could be directly affected as a result of the court’s outcome. Councilors had stated that any part that she (Sooba) wished to play in the court matter should have been facilitated with her personal funds, and not the rates and taxes of citizens.
Late last year the Local Government Ministry advertised for the position of Town Clerk.
Four persons, including Carol Sooba applied for the position and she was subsequently appointed despite the fact that the interview panel had deemed her the least qualified.

City Hall

City Hall

King engaged the court against the Local Government Ministry, which on three occasions requested additional time to explain how Sooba won the post. It is possible that Chief Justice Ian Chang may pronounce on the matter this week.
The Council has maintained however, that they are facing grave difficulties since Sooba refuses to follow their instructions and makes decisions on her own. Last Monday at the Council’s Statutory Meeting councillors walked out after Sooba refused to answer simple questions relating to dangerous buildings around the city. Even councillors who are usually in support of Sooba became enraged when she refused to let the City Engineer respond to the councilors concerns. Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whitaker told Kaieteur News the following day that he was unaware of the ‘walk out’ and would not speculate.
While the Town Clerk and the Council remains split, the Government has however engaged her office and the City Engineer in its half a billion dollar plan to revitalize dilapidated Georgetown.
Mayor Hamilton Greene and Councilors have spoken extensively on the Government- initiative being a political gimmick and part of continuous strategies to undermine the Council. Stakeholders and Opposition parties have reiterated calls for the holding of Local polls which were not held for almost 20 years.

Mars
Originally Posted by Mars:

Did they charge Sooba for tiefin yet?

 

Probe into Sooba’s alleged misappropriation of funds continue

APRIL 1, 2014 | BY  | FILED UNDER NEWS 

Almost three months after allegations surfaced over the misappropriation of half a million dollars by Town Clerk of Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Carol Sooba, the Auditor General’s (AG) office says that investigations are ongoing into the matter.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

The AG, Deodat Sharma, told Kaieteur News that agents of his office are continuing their investigations, but no final report has been submitted on the matter. This newspaper understands that a request was made for Sooba to explain the basis under which she allegedly used the Council’s money for her own purposes, but it is unclear what her response has been.
However, according to the Council’s records, a January 8 (last) payment voucher #A114 was made payable to a named attorney in the amount of $500,000 as legal fees, “for professional services rendered” in relation to a court matter brought against Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk by the Council’s Public Relations Officer Royston King (Action #103-M).
The document was prepared and signed by the Council’s Finance Chairman Junior Garrett and Councilor Kamla Devi Ross. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green contends however, that once the Council did not authorize any transaction, “no councilor can authorize payments without the fiat of the Council, even if that councilor were the Chairman of the Finance Committee.” Chase-Green had written the AG calling for an investigation into the action, since the Council had been readily accused of corruption and has continuously expressed a cash-strapped position.
Assistant Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Mr. Oscar Clarke, had told Kaieteur News that he was unaware that money was being paid for legal services although he and the Finance Chairman are the persons authorized to approve expenditures for the Council.
He said that another member of the Finance Committee would sign off on Council spending only if the Chairman or Assistant Chairman is ill or absent, and, ‘I (Clarke) was none of the above.” He added also that signing off on Council expenses occur only if Council approves the funds; which was not the case.
The Council has stated also that the Town Clerk was not named as a party in King’s court case despite the fact that she could be directly affected as a result of the court’s outcome. Councilors had stated that any part that she (Sooba) wished to play in the court matter should have been facilitated with her personal funds, and not the rates and taxes of citizens.
Late last year the Local Government Ministry advertised for the position of Town Clerk.
Four persons, including Carol Sooba applied for the position and she was subsequently appointed despite the fact that the interview panel had deemed her the least qualified.

City Hall

City Hall

King engaged the court against the Local Government Ministry, which on three occasions requested additional time to explain how Sooba won the post. It is possible that Chief Justice Ian Chang may pronounce on the matter this week.
The Council has maintained however, that they are facing grave difficulties since Sooba refuses to follow their instructions and makes decisions on her own. Last Monday at the Council’s Statutory Meeting councillors walked out after Sooba refused to answer simple questions relating to dangerous buildings around the city. Even councillors who are usually in support of Sooba became enraged when she refused to let the City Engineer respond to the councilors concerns. Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whitaker told Kaieteur News the following day that he was unaware of the ‘walk out’ and would not speculate.
While the Town Clerk and the Council remains split, the Government has however engaged her office and the City Engineer in its half a billion dollar plan to revitalize dilapidated Georgetown.
Mayor Hamilton Greene and Councilors have spoken extensively on the Government- initiative being a political gimmick and part of continuous strategies to undermine the Council. Stakeholders and Opposition parties have reiterated calls for the holding of Local polls which were not held for almost 20 years.

What tiefing?  Shooba was able to stop Green from continue to live like he is the KING of City Hall.

 

She was appointed imporperly but he has helped to stop these PNC tiefs from continuing to help themselves with the people money.

 

What happened at City Hall will happen to Guyana if the PNC gets back into power.

FM
Originally Posted by KishanB:
Originally Posted by Mars:

Did they charge Sooba for tiefin yet?

 

Probe into Sooba’s alleged misappropriation of funds continue

APRIL 1, 2014 | BY  | FILED UNDER NEWS 

Almost three months after allegations surfaced over the misappropriation of half a million dollars by Town Clerk of Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Carol Sooba, the Auditor General’s (AG) office says that investigations are ongoing into the matter.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

The AG, Deodat Sharma, told Kaieteur News that agents of his office are continuing their investigations, but no final report has been submitted on the matter. This newspaper understands that a request was made for Sooba to explain the basis under which she allegedly used the Council’s money for her own purposes, but it is unclear what her response has been.
However, according to the Council’s records, a January 8 (last) payment voucher #A114 was made payable to a named attorney in the amount of $500,000 as legal fees, “for professional services rendered” in relation to a court matter brought against Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk by the Council’s Public Relations Officer Royston King (Action #103-M).
The document was prepared and signed by the Council’s Finance Chairman Junior Garrett and Councilor Kamla Devi Ross. Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green contends however, that once the Council did not authorize any transaction, “no councilor can authorize payments without the fiat of the Council, even if that councilor were the Chairman of the Finance Committee.” Chase-Green had written the AG calling for an investigation into the action, since the Council had been readily accused of corruption and has continuously expressed a cash-strapped position.
Assistant Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Mr. Oscar Clarke, had told Kaieteur News that he was unaware that money was being paid for legal services although he and the Finance Chairman are the persons authorized to approve expenditures for the Council.
He said that another member of the Finance Committee would sign off on Council spending only if the Chairman or Assistant Chairman is ill or absent, and, ‘I (Clarke) was none of the above.” He added also that signing off on Council expenses occur only if Council approves the funds; which was not the case.
The Council has stated also that the Town Clerk was not named as a party in King’s court case despite the fact that she could be directly affected as a result of the court’s outcome. Councilors had stated that any part that she (Sooba) wished to play in the court matter should have been facilitated with her personal funds, and not the rates and taxes of citizens.
Late last year the Local Government Ministry advertised for the position of Town Clerk.
Four persons, including Carol Sooba applied for the position and she was subsequently appointed despite the fact that the interview panel had deemed her the least qualified.

City Hall

City Hall

King engaged the court against the Local Government Ministry, which on three occasions requested additional time to explain how Sooba won the post. It is possible that Chief Justice Ian Chang may pronounce on the matter this week.
The Council has maintained however, that they are facing grave difficulties since Sooba refuses to follow their instructions and makes decisions on her own. Last Monday at the Council’s Statutory Meeting councillors walked out after Sooba refused to answer simple questions relating to dangerous buildings around the city. Even councillors who are usually in support of Sooba became enraged when she refused to let the City Engineer respond to the councilors concerns. Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whitaker told Kaieteur News the following day that he was unaware of the ‘walk out’ and would not speculate.
While the Town Clerk and the Council remains split, the Government has however engaged her office and the City Engineer in its half a billion dollar plan to revitalize dilapidated Georgetown.
Mayor Hamilton Greene and Councilors have spoken extensively on the Government- initiative being a political gimmick and part of continuous strategies to undermine the Council. Stakeholders and Opposition parties have reiterated calls for the holding of Local polls which were not held for almost 20 years.

What tiefing?  Shooba was able to stop Green from continue to live like he is the KING of City Hall.

 

She was appointed imporperly but he has helped to stop these PNC tiefs from continuing to help themselves with the people money.

 

What happened at City Hall will happen to Guyana if the PNC gets back into power.

The local govt minister and Sooba control the funds at City Hall. They are responsible for most of the tiefin.

 

BTW, the PPP tief ten times worse than the PNC ever did.

Mars
Last edited by Mars
Originally Posted by Conscience:
Green is very tight lipped on the serious allegations against  Royston King.

How about u here not commenting on the accusation of Soba above? Lets hear it...

FM

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