The Office of the Attorney General is currently reviewing a number of files to determine whether additional people should be charged before the court in connection with an alleged massive housing scam involving the misuse of government funds, according to a senior official in the Department of Public Prosecutions.
Deputy Director of Public Prosections Franklyn Williams told The Guardian yesterday that the AG’s Office has had receipt of the files for some time now, however he said no firm decision has been made yet as the files are still under review.
The files were compiled by the police force as it continues an investigation, which began nearly four years ago, into alleged corruption among some housing inspectors. According to police, the probe eventually widened to include the alleged disappearance of millions of dollars intended for housing repairs.
Police are continuing to investigate allegations that millions of dollars went missing as a result of a scam related to housing repairs in Grand Bahama after the passage of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004. Investigations also center around allegations that over $700,000 spent by the Ministry of Housing in 2006 and 2007 is unaccounted for.
According to the 2006/2007 Auditor General’s Report on revenue and expenditure, the Ministry of Housing made two payments of $385,195.40 for repairs of a 10-unit complex in Freeport, but there is no proof that the work was actually carried out.
