City treasurer John Douglas, who was suspended for two months after monies belonging to the Mayor and City Council was found in a bag of the entity’s vehicle, was asked to return to work one month into his suspension. This is despite the fact that the Local Government Commission (LGC) had endorsed disciplinary measures against several officers at City Hall including Douglas following the issue with the money being found in a bag.
City Treasurer John Douglas
This was confirmed by acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick during a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times. Jerrick explained that the city treasurer was suspended for two months, but on his first month into the suspension, the Council had called him back to work.
“He would have proceeded on the leave, but the Council called him back out. It was supposed to be two months suspension, and he proceeded month into the latter month, he was called out,” Jerrick said.
Those suspended were Douglas; Iva Bryan (two months), Sonia Pit (three weeks), and Yolanda Forde (one month). Clerk of Markets Sherlock Lovell, along with Felicia McRae, were issued warning letters.
The decision to suspend the officers were implemented following the recommendations by the LGC after a bag of cash was found in the vehicle of the then Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, and monies were missing from the Bourda Market.
According to reports, the monies were supposed to be deposited in the bank on behalf of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). However, a staff of the Council found the bag of cash bearing the M&CC seal in the Chief Constable’s vehicle.
A complaint was lodged at the LGC, and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, the Commission found that Foo, along with officers, had breached the standard operating procedure. (G1)
