Auditor General fires back at criticisms on EZ audit
Auditor General (AG) Sonia Webster has fired back at criticisms that persons from some quarters of the BVI, including the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), have placed on her audit report on the contracts for static marine platforms between the former Andrew Fahie-led VIP government and EZ Shipping in 2020.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, for example, suggested that Auditor General (AG) Sonia Webster arrived at questionable conclusions in some of her audits, specifically EZ’s. More recently, Ninth District Representative Vincent Wheatley and Territorial At-Large Member Carvin Malone of the VIP called the report one-sided and suggested that it unfairly tarnished the reputation of EZ Shipping’s owners and could destroy their livelihood.
However, AG Webster issued a statement dated March 3, addressing what she described as “misinformation” regarding the audit process.
“The audit in this matter was performed by gathering documentary evidence of the events and transactions occurring in this scheme across the ministries and departments associated with this project. In addition, interviews were performed with the heads of Customs and Immigration and with the former Police Commissioner. Interviews were also performed with senior staff who were assigned to work with the platforms. Where the mentioned individuals could not be interviewed in person, they provided information via questionnaire. Follow-ups were performed with individuals to ensure clarity and to allow an opportunity for them to provide further information.”
Webster further stated that at the end of this process, the audit report was prepared in “draft” form and sent to the Customs and Immigration heads (among others) on November 15, 2022 for their review before the report was made final.
She said neither refuted the dates stated in the audit findings on the platforms’ usage.
“During the investigation, it became clear that there might be illicit implications arising from the transactions that occurred. Our policy, in such cases, is to progress the matter to the stage where it can be sent to other agencies for further investigation, as pursuing potential criminality with entities outside of the public service is not within our remit. Notwithstanding, the preponderance of the evidence regarding the use of the barges was such that it would be negligent of me not to bring this to the attention of the public which is ultimately footing the bill for this expenditure,” the chief auditor stated.
She further made it clear that she is satisfied the audit process for the EZ investigation was thorough, and the conclusions drawn were sound.
The shipping company was paid more than $2 million for use of three of its barges – Midnight Stone, Midnight Czar and Midnight Chief – as radar platforms between September 2020 and January 2021. But according to Webster, payments were made to EZ Shipping that also covered two months when the barges were not used. Webster’s report noted that records show that use of the radar platforms ceased in November 2020.
Governor John Rankin has since announced that he has forwarded the report on the EZ contract to the Attorney General’s chambers “for assessment of whether the government should pursue recovery of any amounts paid to EZ Shipping. Rankin further said he asked the Director of Public Prosecutions and the police to assess if any offences were committed with respect to the engagement of the marine platforms.
Governor forwards CSC and EZ audit reports to police, DPP and AG
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Just pay back the $700,000 . It’s simple. If they say you don’t need it just pay it back.
that they got more brains than anyone else ,just like the one who now resides in Miami , who felt he was untouchable , those with clean hands has nothing to fear , ( SO WHY THESE JOKERS JUMPING ON THE LADY LIKE PITBULLS FOR ? AND STRANGELY SOME ARE VERY QUIET ? WE ALL THOUGHT THEY ALL WANTED TRANSPARENCY ~ HONESTY AND INTEGRITY , IS THIS THE NEW WAY OF HAVING OUR COUNTRY’S BEST INTREST IN THEIR HEARTS ❤️
Madam Auditor General, you seem not to know your own Act that governs you. The Audit Act forbids you from speaking publicly on audits in this manner. Shouldn’t you also be following the law?
Don’t mind the noise, Sonia. Obviously they will try to justify themselves and their actions and try to make themselves look clean. It’s all about whitewashing the corruption so they can fool the voters and get re-elected. The fact that these guys would never come out and admit wrongdoing and put the mechanisms in place to ensure that it doesn’t happen again shows those few of us that care who they are.
Thank you. The comments of the premier and others are shameful.
As a retiree, I’m very worried about my prnsion, health issues and a mortgage. All of my hard working social security dollars should be working for me till I die. All who collected these monies including who give them out should put them back. We the people need every penny to rebuild our land. Shame, shame, her Majesty king come see about we please!!
Speaking publicly about a document that was made public…..I am struggling to see how she didn’t conform with the Audit Act. Further, she simply stated the process she followed.
Ms you are a lady that is doing a good job so don’t let all them corrupt people put you off track hold your Head up high
All of them that is supporting corruption and all the wrong doing they don’t have to think about where the next meal is coming from because they are benefiting from it and don’t care about the struggling poor tax payers
All of them that is supporting corruption and all the wrong doing they don’t have to think about where the next meal is coming from because they are benefiting from it and don’t care about the struggling poor tax payers
Just watch the COI questioning of Ministers on YTube . It’s all there.
Thank dog we have people like Ms Webster.
The unelected, unwanted and incompetent so called Premier Wheatley demonstrates his total unfitness for office by his defense of this disgraceful contract.
You ask your self what his interest in it is.
@ Lawless – All the Auditor General did was explain the process. How does that contravene the Audit Act?
Were this extra $700,000.paid out”kickback style”?
Keep on supporting your Corrupt buddies you a$hole
Good for you, AG! These politician ignoring the fact that you are acting in accordance with standards. They sound stupid and uneducated. I wonder if EZ was just a pass through and enabled money to be funneled right into to some of these officials
Don’t waste your time answering them Ms Webster!!! Keep standing up to those bullies, when you don’t put up with there nonsense you becomes the enemy , don’t mine them. You did a good job and we the people applaud you. Don’t answer them !
I do not trust this woman. Something does not add up.
For the goose is good for the gander. ALL politicians are the SAME. NDP did the same thing. When the Auditor’s report about the green house was made public, Myron Walwyn praised it. It was wasted money and a VIP project. When the report for the wall was made public, Myron Walwyn was verbally disrespectful to Ms. Webster and the then Governor, His Excellency Augustus Jaspert. He even had to apologize for his disgraceful behavior. Stop with recycled garbage candidates. Sick of these people.
of course it was. The $700,000 was the payout to the crooked politicians and government workers who fixed up the original contract
She cannot speak on the audit until it is tabled. It has been tabled and made public. So she can refute any comments made in the house on the document or the process. Stop misleading people
Heaed of that 700K before. Matching amount of what was in the plane at Okala Airport that headcoach had to see. Switch for BVI need to turn off and the place need to be brutally reboot. Sound like we have to get use to the filthy corruption because the p.ss going continue. Set of people hate correction and want to be left in their evil and wicked ways. Woe be unto us
Three of the biggest cr**ks in the VIP and the house. All 3 of them benefitted
The three blind rats.
They think people stupid?
They’re like Satan correcting sin.
Please stay quiet. We got you. No need to defend yourself. You haven’t done anything wrong, you have done a good an hon job, we know that, we know what they are trying to do, we are unto them..You are special, different, they are upset because they cant bribe you or corrupt you. Ignore the little noise..
Sonia you don’t need to engage those corrupt psycophants. They are running scared. I admire your integrity, your strength and tenacity in performing your job. We need politicians and civil servants with your character. These maggots that is in power is hell bent on destroying this territory for the financial benefit of themselves and their croonies. Only dishonest evil greedy mongrels have a problem with you. We the honest law abiding citizens are with you. Continue to focus and do your job without fear or favour. God bless you.
What about the audit that was done at the hospital where they got rid of the auditor who did the audit and rehired the employees who did the crimes?
Thank You Ms Webster!
Your work performance concerning this matter is a refreshing light in total darkness..Thank You!
I salute you Juan. Lets hear it.
I certainly appreciate these points raised by the Auditor General and understand why she feels compelled to clear the air with her statements given this current climate. This can truly be described as “toxic” given the comments made by members of the HOA: VIP G-stars/ HMLO: His Majesty’s Lone Opposition; who have sought to cast a dark cloud over the integrity of her report on the EZ Shipping/AF Barge Fiasco….Shame on them ????? ??♂️
It MUST also be said that it is VERY UNFORTUNATE & SHOCKING that HMLO as part of his contribution recently before the HOA mentioned that the Premier or any other minister to whom an audit report has been given should have “the right” NOT to bring the report to HOA on the basis of their belief that more information is needed!!! WOW…this is a TRULY DANGEROUS mindset that would severely undermine the office of the Auditor General – one of our most important safeguards as she is responsible for confirming whether PUBLIC FUNDS have been used for proper purposes i.e. in accordance with the LAW and for NO OTHER PURPOSE.
IF the Auditor General’s report can be suppressed and/or questioned in this way without being forwarded to the Governor/ Attorney General/ Police/ DPP for further action, investigation and prosecution; we can WAVE GOODBYE to accountability, good governance, AND funds being given to projects that provide the greatest benefit to the Virgin Islands….
It is ALSO VERY VERY EMBARRASSING how much members of the HOA by their approach on this audit report, demonstrate the “parlous state of governance” as mentioned in the COI report.
Lastly, I’m ASKING FOR A FRIEND:
1. When will the Government publish on its website the recent reports of the Auditor General so we can ALL ACCESS these reports???…transparency please so we don’t need to go hanging out by speed bumps hoping for a copy!
2. How is it that the Premier, as Minister of Finance, to whom the Internal Audit Advisory Committee is accountable, could say what he did recently before HOA demonstrating such an uninformed and “clueless” perspective as to the remit of the Auditor General, her office, and internal audits generally?
3. When would we get the Auditor General’s ANNUAL/ YEARLY AUDIT REPORT on the accounts of LegCo, all Government departments and offices, including the Public Service Commission as required under the Audit Act 2003.
Ms Webster, I have never met you nor seen you, but from following the senseless tirade by the clowns and also examining the COI recordings you are a Rose among thorns, and a Very Bright Star among wannabees of non importance. You have made your point abundantly clear and do not need to respond further beyond what you have listed here.
Stand your ground . Some families feel so powerful that they feel they can white wash coals .
A corrupt set of people
When leaders jumping around grime party to the next nothing is stable and loyal … gl
Not a single member of this corrupt and useless government should be re-elected
EZ money not EZ shipping
So the bigwigs show their ignorance of normal audit process. Exposing their unfitness. smh
They made money years no help w gov. Gov shut down the bvi killing all biz and shipping. Ez got boats to pay loan on asks for biz on borders bs. Bvi ppl learn to hold gov resp. They waste ur money. You vote them. Not rest ppl on the hustle
You probably don’t trust yuh self.
the number of times we passed when their systems were turned off.
truth to (waning) power.
disappointing the incumbents cannot see there is a generational hero’s opportunity here to make real change, away from past practices that got us here, and get huge projects and new laws done. Ironically, that would get the territory far closer to being able to stand independent. instead, to pander to rabble-rousers’ online commentary and verbiage will mean those opportunities for this government and opposition, and more importantly for the territory, will sail by.
if only more in our civil service and government had Ms Webster’s integrity