As you saw, all the payments to RSL fit under that well-known $10,000 threshold. It has become a glaring public issue in the Ministry of Defence-but the practice is widespread across government ministries. As we have told you-it is employed so that the payments can be approved by a Financial Officer-and do not have to go to the Treasury Department for a second approval.
Today, the Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics said the pattern of payments requires a "serious investigation":
Reporter:
"And then as a politician and being in cabinet, do you consider that this latest scandal involving split payments is going to hurt the party in the municipals?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
"Listen, the allegations being raised are very serious allegations and they must be treated very seriously. Public funds do require public accounting, there is no way of getting around that. And I think Cabinet and Prime Minister understands that and I think we have now taken the necessary steps to make sure that this happens, so I have every faith in the process we have undertaken and I am sure that the Belizean people will see that and will understand the work we have been trying to put into place. Let me tell you this, I don't think what is happening can define the work that this government has done. We have done tremendous work in terms of education, in terms of housing, and in terms of health care, and so you need to look at the whole picture to tell the story of this government. And as I said before, these are serious allegations and they require a serious investigation."
