Credit union manager deserves firing, says ministry
On Monday he expressed confidence of his imminent reinstatement to the post as manager of the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union, but today, according to a government official, Corozal’s Vicente Canul may be facing criminal charges. CEO in the Ministry of Co-operatives, Sergio Garcia, told News 5 that Canul was first put on leave and then fired by the credit union’s board of directors after investigations found he was involved in a number of improprieties at the financial institution. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Sergio Garcia, CEO, Min. of Co-operatives
“Basically you know some illegal activities such as forgery and uttering of false documents, these acts are very, very regular in the sense of that they can be considered white collar crimes. I believe that definitely, we have evidence, we have information, and we will probably be dealing with it in a legal manner.
As the Department of Co-operatives, we are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that we safeguard the poor people’s money saved at credit unions. And also we are charged with the responsibility to ensure that people act in a responsible manner to ensure that these things are accomplished in the right way. Therefore, Mr. Canul was removed from office by the Board of Directors of the credit union on the recommendation of the supervisory committee. All we did was supervise that this happen; that’s what we did as a ministry.
The Board of Directors also removed from office other employees who were alleged to have been involved in the impropriety. These include a field officer, an accountant and two supervisors. On Monday, hundreds of protestors staged a demonstration in support of Canul in front of the credit union building. Garcia says he believes that many in the crowd were misinformed about why Canul was removed from office.
Sergio Garcia
“When they find out the real problem, then they will be embarrassed that they are supporting somebody who is corrupt in the sense of white collar crime you know. So we have to be very, very careful about how we go about defending people.”
Garcia says as far as he is aware Canul will not be reinstated and that all parties concerned, including the ad hoc committee that was formed in protest of Canul’s dismissal, did sign a memorandum of understanding supporting the board’s decision.
Sergio Garcia
“The ad hoc committee did go in to see my minister. We had a discussion with my minister and them and they agreed that they would meet with us with the Board of Directors, which we did. And they agreed that they would abide by the decision that came out of that meeting. And then when we finished with that meeting that’s when we sign the M.O.U. where he would be removed by the Board of Directors. So I think Mister Canul here, it’s like a no win situation for him. There are a lot of irregularities out there. people are not accustomed to how we approach things, but I think the choices were very right that we cannot continue to condone white collar crimes. And that is what we have to try as a people here in Belize to try and crack down some of these irregular situations.”
Although Canul remains hopeful that he will be reinstated following a special meeting on Sunday, Garcia says the meeting will be held with credit union members, only to present to them evidence that explains why Canul was fired as general manager. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
Garcia says he would like to assure members of the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union that their money is safe. The credit union is scheduled to reopen for business on Monday, April twenty-second.
