For the past two days we've been reporting on the swirl of allegations of corporate credit card abuse surrounding former BTL Chairman Nestor Vasquez. The allegations went public on Monday and Vasquez stepped down yesterday, after 11 continuous years in the job.
But, while he has stepped down, the controversy was stepping up in the house today where PUP Leader John Briceno said it is the tip of the iceberg at the utility where government has the controlling interests:
Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"In all that is happening at BTL it is important that the prime minister come clean to this house and to the nation, because what we have found out now is that BTL is the new hot bed of corruption. Madam Speaker, at a minimum I think that we or this country we are demanding 1) that Mr. Vasquez resigns from all the other committees that he represents the UDP government. He is the chairman of the investment committee for the social security board, he is a member of the central bank of Belize board and he is also a member of the integrity commission. This investigation of the chairman is just scratching the surface of the corruption and abuse taken place at BTL. That is only the tip of the iceberg."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"It is admitted that there are allegations concerning the abuse of the credit card. Mr. Vasquez. He has resigned. He has made no admission with respect to the allegations. BTL as a company has put out an official statement, which is what is to guide you, not the scuttlebutt and not the propaganda that's self-manufactured. You listen to the official declarations made by BTL and the press release said that in fact a thorough-going investigation was being launched.
You claim that because of these allegations, allegations confined to the use, abuse perhaps of a corporate credit card by the ex-director, that BTL is a hot bed of corruption? You point me to any other incident, any other allegation that would sustain that. This is a single issue matter. It is of course for us extremely regrettable that it involves these allegations against Net Vasquez, who whatever might be the true position and we will get to the true position, because it is a fact that this government as the principal shareholder in BTL will act as it always does and ensure that there is a true proper and absolutely transparent investigation into the allegations, but just the fact of the allegations having been made we on this side of the house are absolutely saddened. Net Vasquez - all his professional life has been known to be a complete straight arrow."
Briceno demanded a forensic audit and that a commission on inquiry be appointed.
