More than a Dozen Vehicles Sold Weeks Prior to Elections
Dean Barrow
The former Minister of Finance also revealed that some department and ministries were all too eager to dispose of their vehicles as unserviceable. During the period that the Commission is investigating, one hundred and twelve government vehicles were sold for an estimated three hundred thousand dollars. About twenty-five government vehicles were sold weeks before the elections. Former Commission of Lands Wilbert Vallejos bought a 2004 Rav4 for ten thousand dollars while former Comptroller of Customs and Excise Colin Griffith bought a 2016 Toyota Hilux for six thousand dollars. The Commission asked Financial Secretary Joseph Waight about it.
Dean Barrow, Former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
“It may be if you will forgive me what is meant to be a light hearted comment, it may have been that in some cases department and ministries were a little too eager to treat vehicles as unserviceable and write them offs because the corollary to a write off by the ministry or department is that they would require a replace.”
Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary
“The total number of vehicles sold were one hundred and twelve.”
Joseph Waight
Andrew Marshalleck, Chairman, Commission of Inquiry
“And what was the total price?”
Joseph Waight
“I would say about three hundred dollars or so. Maybe a little more. For this year. In addition to the vehicles there were nine laptops and then the package of furniture including the two items for the former honourable attorney general. In reviewing the list I didn’t see any member from the Ministry of Finance nor did I see any member of the vehicle care assets unit however that would not prohibit them in buying a vehicle if it was for sale. Anybody can make a bid for a vehicle.”
Andrew Marshalleck
“Of the hundred and twelve vehicles that we sold over the course of the year, how many were sold after parliament was dissolved in October, in the last month leading to election?”
Joseph Waight
“I would say about a dozen. Well before, in fact, sometime in July? There was a Nissan for one Kenroy Sanchez for twelve hundred dollars. There is a Jeffry Gabriel twenty eighth of September, Volkswagen Jetta 2007, seven hundred dollars. There is sale to a Doyle Gillett twenty eight of September Chevrolet for three thousand dollars. There was a sale for a Jamal Smith on the twenty-eight of September 1995 Nissan Pickup truck for twelve hundred dollars. Then there is a Elias Gongora, twenty-eight of September, there was a batch done that day, a 2007 Hiace Van, two hundred dollars. I think that was crash vehicle. On the twenty eight of September there was a sale of eight unserviceable ATVS, for a total of price of six hundred dollars for the eight. To Collin Swasey; again the twenty eight of September there was Jason Neal two unserviceable ATV for four hundred dollars. On the twenty eight of September there was a Balthazar Goodger 1 993 Jeep Cherokee for one thousand two hundred dollars. This have notation that they are all scrapped and cannibalized. On the fourteenth of October there was a sale to an Art Diaz, a 2019 Sky Go motorcycle for a hundred dollars. One the seventh f October the vehicle to Justice Sosa the 2008 Land Cruiser for ten thousand three hundred and eighty five dollars.”
