$403,000 - that's how much past Mayor David Fonseca did not account for when he left City Hall on February 28. On Thursday, he paid $30,000 of that to cover bad checks. But the council says it's not enough, because there's still $373,294 unaccounted for. $218,000 in salary advances, or as he calls them, personal loans that have not been paid back, and $155,000 for a social assistance programme for which there has been no accounting.
Today Mayor Zenaida Moya pulled into the police station on Queen Street to lodge an official complaint. Moya went to the CIB office at 11:30 am accompanied by her Deputy Wayne Usher. Her official complaint is that $373,000 is missing and Mayor David Fonseca is accountable.
Responding to the complaint this afternoon, four CIB investigators, led by sergeant Andrew Ramirez, along with another sergeant and two constables went to city hall at 2:30 and left at around 5:00 pm. They reviewed records and spoke to key personnel. Shortly after they left, Mayor Moya told us she had to make an official complaint because, according to her legal advice, this is a criminal misdeed.
Zenaida Moya, Belize City Mayor
"We know that, speaking to our legal counsel, that in fact there is a case, it's a criminal case, at least that is what they have indicated, and therefore we have to comply with the law."
Jules Vasquez,
Now I know that you run the city as a business and certainly I would imagine, as a business which has significant financial problems, you would prefer to get back the $373,000 that is still outstanding.
Zenaida Moya,
"Well Jules we clearly will need the monies and we know that at the end of the day he should pay back every cent that is owed to the council. We know also that if we were to just sweep this matter under the rug that we have the whole public and they will say, 'if you are going to take any of us to court because we haven't paid any tax then why should we come in and pay when in fact, you have the former Mayor owing us hundreds of thousands and you haven't taken that individual to court.' So there's also that aspect and you have voter confidence; that people will say, 'we voted for you because we believe in you and we know that you are somebody who will comply with the law and ensure that things are righted."
Jules Vasquez,
When I spoke to you last week you seemed to have had a more moderate approach, in terms that you were interested in recovering the money but is this a decision based on the public sentiment out there, many who want the head of offenders on a platter?
Zenaida Moya,
"Well Jules you know I will reiterate that we do want the money to be returned, to be paid back to the city council, that is clear. Again I will stress that I feel that he should pay back those monies so that will not go away. But there is also the other aspect that this is a criminal matter and so myself, or the council, we shouldn't just hold back. It is our legal obligations, because we have found these irregularities and therefore we have to comply with what is legal, we have to take to the court on behalf of the residents of Belize City."
Jules Vasquez,
As far as you are concerned or as far as you have been advised by your legal counsel, what is the criminal offense?
Zenaida Moya,
"Well they are still investigating the matter so I do not want to speculate. Persons are saying what it is and I have been told what exactly the charge should be but we will leave that to the police to decide."
Jules Vasquez,
I spoke to the Commissioner earlier this afternoon and he said that they will conduct their investigations fairly and they will pay no attention the theatrics of the political personalities. Are you confident that the Minister of Home Affairs being Ralph Fonseca, his younger brother being accused of a significant charge of misappropriation of public funds that there will be a fair and unflinching investigation?
Zenaida Moya, Belize City Mayor
"Well Jules in that case, clearly that is a family matter but the Minister, he has an office and he has to comply with the law. If he deviates from any legal obligation and also deviate from any actual procedure that should be followed as it pertains to this court case, then people will know because all eyes, I believe, are on this case and everybody is following this matter."
This afternoon Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby told us that his department will deal with the complaint like any other; the matter will be investigated and the file will be sent expeditiously to DPP. When asked about the Minister of Police Ralph Fonseca and his younger brother, David, who stands accused, he stressed that, "(he) will not get into political theatrics."
