Democratic National Alliance (DNA) candidate for MICAL Delano Munroe is facing a criminal charge, The Nassau Guardian has learned.
Munroe, 35, was charged on October 17 in a magistrate’s court with stealing by reason of employment, police reported.
However, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is alleged Munroe stole $12,891 from the Junior Achievement (JA) program last year when he was a program manager.
Police said Munroe collected funds on behalf of Junior Achievement without authorization.
They said the criminal complaint about the missing money was made in March 2011.
Munroe’s trial is expected to begin on March 12 in Court 6 before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.
DNA leader Branville McCartney said he was aware of the charge before Munroe became a candidate.
“We are aware of that,” McCartney said. “We are looking into it and we will make a statement once we have looked into it further.”
He said the party will determine the future of Munroe’s candidacy pending the investigation and the eventual outcome of the court case.
Asked how the charge would affect the party’s reputation, McCartney said, “The party still goes on.”
“These things happen. It’s nothing detrimental to the party. There could be quite more to it that we will determine in very short order. And quite more in terms of how the allegations came up and the meaning behind the allegations.
“At this stage, he is still a candidate.” McCartney said if Munroe is found guilty he would not be on the DNA’s slate.
Munroe was introduced as the DNA’s candidate for MICAL last week during a street meeting in Kemp Road.
According to the DNA’s website, in September 2000, Munroe was invited by the Government of The Bahamas to join the team at the Ministry of Youth as a youth officer assigned to the Youth Enterprise Department.
The DNA said Munroe was the longest serving program manager for Junior Achievement Bahamas, a position he held for more than 10 years.
Munroe is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist, the DNA claimed. The DNA has lost at least two candidates it announced earlier.
