{"id":34224,"date":"2024-05-16T23:58:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T04:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev?p=34224"},"modified":"2024-05-16T20:01:09","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T01:01:09","slug":"auditor-general-uncovers-fraud-government-loses-over-200k-in-belize-treasury-and-embassy-scandals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/auditor-general-uncovers-fraud-government-loses-over-200k-in-belize-treasury-and-embassy-scandals\/","title":{"rendered":"Auditor General Uncovers Fraud: Government Loses Over $200K in Belize Treasury and Embassy Scandals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Belize<\/p>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>In 2023, the Office of the Auditor General uncovered two cases of fraud at the Belize Treasury Department and the Embassy of Belize in Guatemala resulting in the government losing over two hundred thousand dollars. In the first instance, the office uncovered that the payroll scheme in the Treasury Department showed fraud in the sum of ninety seven thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars.\u00a0 Meanwhile, at the Belize Embassy in Guatemala, the Auditor General found that over one hundred and seven thousand dollars was mismanaged by a staff member in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.\u00a0 While little information on the cases has been published on the AG Office\u2019s website, our newsroom understands that the office completed two fraud audits and has since won the matters before the Public Services Commission.\u00a0 Subsequently, the public officers involved were terminated. There are, however, five other cases where public monies have been mismanaged.\u00a0 In 2022, the office launched an audit query into discrepancies involving the Belize Police Department and Smart Stream payments. Also in 2022, the government body conducted a performance audit on the procurement of tablets within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Development, but the results have not been published. Additionally, the office launched a fraud audit probing into the misallocation of funds at the Magistrate\u2019s Court. We note that several pieces of information regarding the audits have not been released as the seven cases are currently before the courts. For this year, the Office of the Auditor General has embarked on an audit examination of assigned vehicles within the Police Department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lovefm.com\/auditor-general-uncovers-fraud-government-loses-over-200k-in-belize-treasury-and-embassy-scandals\/#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">more<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Image:\u00a0 Tumisu (Pixabay)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Belize In 2023, the Office of the Auditor General uncovered two cases of fraud at the Belize Treasury Department and the Embassy of Belize in Guatemala resulting in the government&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":19888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[250],"tags":[157,160,125],"class_list":["post-34224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-articles","tag-anti-corruption","tag-belize","tag-public-procurement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/audit-g8faaf0f23_1280-e1644524531624.jpg?fit=1025%2C678&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6u9Qa-8U0","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36398,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/p-s-u-calls-for-removal-of-auditor-general\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":0},"title":"P.S.U. Calls for Removal of Auditor General","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Belize During Friday\u2019s protest in front of the Prime Minister\u2019s Office in Belmopan, the President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers called for the removal of the auditor general. He contends that an audit of the Department of Lands and the procurement process within the Ministry of Health and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/audit-g8faaf0f23_1280-e1644524531624.jpg?fit=1025%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/audit-g8faaf0f23_1280-e1644524531624.jpg?fit=1025%2C678&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/audit-g8faaf0f23_1280-e1644524531624.jpg?fit=1025%2C678&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/audit-g8faaf0f23_1280-e1644524531624.jpg?fit=1025%2C678&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":36394,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/procurement-of-funds-for-new-court-complex-in-final-stages\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":1},"title":"Procurement of Funds for New Court Complex in Final Stages","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"September 26, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Belize In January, we heard the Chief Engineer Evondale Moody describe how much infrastructural work the court building that once housed the Treasury Department underwent. Moody also spoke of the level of intervention that the other court building that faces the Battlefield Park also needs to undergo. Well, the construction\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-ryutaro-5472999-scaled-e1727397933503.jpg?fit=1025%2C654&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-ryutaro-5472999-scaled-e1727397933503.jpg?fit=1025%2C654&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-ryutaro-5472999-scaled-e1727397933503.jpg?fit=1025%2C654&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pexels-ryutaro-5472999-scaled-e1727397933503.jpg?fit=1025%2C654&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":33043,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/belize-explores-an-integrated-approach-to-improve-financing-for-sustainable-development\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":2},"title":"Belize explores an integrated approach to improve financing for sustainable development","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"March 7, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Belize Over 40 personnel from the public and private sectors as well as development agencies came together for a three-day technical workshop to improve development financing and planning towards accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate objectives. This is being considered through the implementation of the Integrated National Financing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-markus-winkler-18475692-scaled-e1709849420430.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-markus-winkler-18475692-scaled-e1709849420430.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-markus-winkler-18475692-scaled-e1709849420430.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-markus-winkler-18475692-scaled-e1709849420430.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28756,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/ministry-of-transport-faces-questions-over-controversial-payment-to-the-sign-factory\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":3},"title":"Ministry of Transport Faces Questions Over Controversial Payment to The Sign Factory","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"July 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Belize As if there were not enough fires for the Government to be putting out, there is another report tonight that requires some answers, particularly, from the Ministry of Transport.\u00a0\u00a0A letter, purportedly sent by Chief Executive Officer, Adele Catzim, is now questioning a payment of over one hundred and eight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Contract-agreement-signature-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Contract-agreement-signature-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Contract-agreement-signature-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Contract-agreement-signature-Pixabay-Pexels.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16303,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/belize-business-bureau-calls-for-a-commission-of-inquiry-on-questionable-contracts\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":4},"title":"Belize Business Bureau calls for a Commission of Inquiry on Questionable Contracts","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"April 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Belize Business Bureau is calling for a commission of inquiry into a contract that may have been facilitated with insider information and influence.\u00a0 The Bureau\u2019s President Arturo Lizarraga has written the Contractor General Omar Mitchel expressing concerns with a specific tender process and bid selection. In the letter, Lizarraga\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News\/Developments&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News\/Developments","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/newsdevelopments\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pexels-burst-374899-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pexels-burst-374899-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pexels-burst-374899-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pexels-burst-374899-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pexels-burst-374899-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25036,"url":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/cdb-financing-biogas-feasibility-study-in-belize\/","url_meta":{"origin":34224,"position":5},"title":"CDB Financing Biogas Feasibility Study in Belize","author":"Mayra Bonilla Lopez","date":"November 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Belize The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has committed USD150,000 to assist with financing a feasibility study for the Government of Belize to assess the potential of generating electricity from biogas collected from sewage treatment facilities. Biogas is a form of renewable energy produced by breaking down organic matter such as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-andre-moura-2402438-scaled-e1668181400817.jpg?fit=1024%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-andre-moura-2402438-scaled-e1668181400817.jpg?fit=1024%2C711&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-andre-moura-2402438-scaled-e1668181400817.jpg?fit=1024%2C711&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pexels-andre-moura-2402438-scaled-e1668181400817.jpg?fit=1024%2C711&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34224"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34238,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34224\/revisions\/34238"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projectcalls.com\/dev\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}