BVHSA audit report reveals abuse of power, unauthorised pay raises
The latest audit done at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) alleges that salary increases and compensation payouts may have been given to certain BVIHSA staff without proper authority or compliance with established procedures.
According to the preliminary audit report obtained by BVI News, there were several anomalies in the BVIHSA’s payroll for the period October 2020 to August 2021. The report said this prompted the Financial Comptroller to report the issue to the BVIHSA board and the Internal Audit Unit.
“The alleged salary increases in question also included the positions of Acting Chief Executive Officer and Acting Human Resources Manager. Instructions given to discontinuing the audit prevented the complete examination of all required files and documents,” the document read.
The audit found that BVIHSA’s payroll system is a means by which the organisation’s financial resources are being exploited through fraud and corruption.
“The exploitation discovered in this audit continues unabated because it is either facilitated, perpetrated or ignored by senior management i.e. the Acting Chief Executive Officer Cedorene Malone-Smith and the Acting Human Resources Manager, Mr Levor Lettsome,” the document further alleged.
“Collusion by both of these individuals have allowed for decisions which have circumvented internal controls and rendered the Human Resource Management system ineffective, thereby causing significant wastage of funds,” it continued.
The audit also found that one of the major weaknesses which were used to manipulate the payroll system is the use of allowance.
“The absence of documented controls for allowances leaves the amount paid to the discretion of BVIHSA’s senior management. These managers have utilised this weakness to inflate compensation packages for their own financial gain and the financial gain of a few other chosen employees,” the audit document noted.
Recommendations
Meanwhile, the document had several recommendations to improve the management systems at the BVIHSA. The first recommendation was the requirement of the repayment of all unauthorised compensation. It also recommended a hold should be placed on all increases in compensation approved by Lettsome and Malone-Smith for the period January 2020 to the present.
The audit also recommended that both the Acting CEO and the Acting HR Manager be replaced immediately. The was also the recommendation that a complete payroll audit be done to identify discrepancies in the organisation’s payroll management while implementing proper measures to address the discrepancies. The final recommendation was to review and revise the Human Resources Management (HRM) system with a view to improving the management and monitoring of the system.
The conclusion of the audit findings indicated there are several weaknesses in the HRM system.
“These weaknesses, however, does not justify the blatant abuse of the system. Some issues identified indicates a deliberate disregard for the controls in the Human Resource Management system while others indicate the absence of proper corporate governance, fraudulent and corrupt activity,” the report said.
The report also added the gross abuse of the system along with the actions taken to prevent the necessary oversight by the Internal Auditor and the Financial Comptroller allowed for the exploitation of the organisation’s limited financial resources.
“The issues identified in this audit will cause the organisation to become insolvent if actions are not taken immediately to address them,” the report concluded.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
That is an absolute mess when it comes to corporate governance and public officials and that self governance is not possible at this stage. Abuse, mismanagement, fraud and criminal activities are taking place on a daily basis with no one being held responsible for this absolute travesty..
Wait a minute… corruption, graft, government waste in the BVI!!!!!! Say it isn’t so.
BVI love. On display.
PURE GREEDINESS! Those responsible should be prosecuted to the Full extent of the Law. How can We thrive when We have these type s of crimes being committed.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He told the prophet Nathan to tell King David, a man after his own heart, what you did in private, I will do in public.
What happens in the dark will ALWAYS Abe revealed by the light.
Wonderful don’t abuse power
It has a lot of that spread across government. Audit all departments get rid of the fraudulent oppressive scallywags
Ports.
Come audit my department next please I beg you. A lot of that going on here. This favoritism got to stop.
How would one know where you work to perform an audit if you fail to mention the organization?
WEl well well I’m appalled I’m sick to my stomach. Repayment and dismissal is their only punishment?! JAIL THESE THIEVES! How much low wage employees need and deserve an increment and these HIGH SALARY people THIEVING!? Giving their friends raises for kissing butt?!
It happens all the time even in the private sector, lol
This is beyond, this happens all the time. People are truly suffering. Perhaps you have grown accustomed to it. But it is not an excuse. Soon soon it will end. The world is changing and the world war is near. It will be Biblical. And the house of bondage will be brought down, including the Beautiful BVI. Nothing, Nothing can stop what is happening. NCSWIC!!! The world will be shocked.
Every single department, statutory body, government department is putting their fat fingers into the public cookie jar. Welcome to Nature’s Little Secret where politicians are governed by drug gangs and the civil service is a criminal organisation..
I don’t know who you are but you need to check yourself because you talking big facts! Nothing here is a rumor or slander.
I meant to hit “like”
Look how Scotland Yard coming back to the BVI in relevance to what is happening within The BVI Government and Public Servants. Mehson that Elected District Rep is bringing shame and disgrace to the Virgin Islands Party. Running of the Mouth does not contribute to Effective Leadership. Poor Governance at its Worst. Wouldn’t be shocked or surprised for that Woman ends up on BVIHSA Board. This crap needs to be shut down NOW!
That’s why them have us working for nothing and don’t want to pay us our overtime and won’t give the people a raise in pay…wick Ppl
come public work
Wherever a person goes to dwell, their character goes with them. Meaning : What defines a person is their character which is, inseparable from them and follows them everywhere they go.
Dressing up a PIG and putting make up and lipstick on *** – she still a PIG and there are many in BVI!
Meanwhile nurses at the hospital waiting months to be paid their overtime…
and she getting money to st**l, no heart and she praising her god for a job well done , wicked
Well I agree with AF.. Get rid of them!!! Set of thieves.
no no no no Marlon think everybody is an a**. That press conference was so despicable.
And want drop NHI make it mandatory to fill the void left by these individuals.
Time for the UK to step in and run the country. Clearly those in power are busy lining their pockets with complete disregard for anyone and anything. BVI will never see independence and will soon be the ultimate example of a Banana Republic.
Need outsiders who ain’t related to anybody to come in and clean up this festering cesspool. Nature Hidden Secrets being revealed more and more everyday. A little here a little there, but it all together and it looks like a huge criminal enterprise. Time for heads to roll. Tired of paying for this.
Oh please! Why don’t you ask the question, who is responsible and accountable for the Public Service and the Civil Servants?
Susie, get on all four and bark for me baby
Andrew, Andrew, Andrew! Rawrrrr. Where are the NDP paid bloggers?
You know what’s scary? This is not the WHITE MAN doing this to us like you all like to bawl bout. This is our OWN FROM THE SOIL robbing us and THEY WOULDN’THAVE CARED IF THE HOSPITAL SHUT DOWN. With all the THIEVING they would be able to afford any kind of medical care anywhere. For instance there is a sodomite working there with no degree only his butt and making nearly 80K doing nothing but bills.
Lol.. That butt clearly has all the base requirements..
So tell me again why was Marlon making it seem as if the Premier did something wrong by recommending that persons accused be put on paid leave and reinstating the victim of victimization?
There’s an expression; the coverup is worse than the crime.
AF should never have been involved personally.
If a crime was committed it should have promptly been referred to the authorities and the offenders perp walked.
Instead the whole affair was kept internal and delt with in traditional BVI fashion. Mixed with confusion, no real answers or conclusion, to be half revealed later.
marlon dont even if he is coming or if he is going , the premiere had every right ,tell marlon to sit and wait
Mismanagement =corruption =fraud =forgery =theft= deception = false accounting =gross misconduct = abuse of office= breach of trust= incite an employee to commit a criminal offense. This is a criminal enterprise. These people should be prosecuted.
Where is hinourable penn to apologize to the bonourable premier He so quick to condemn for political mileage. When will we Virgin Islanders see through these politicians. All the time them not giving the government a chance. It all about turning the people them mind. All Marlon do is throow big rocks. The system so messed up because of dem poly tricksters
meanwhile the orderlies’ are working 12hr shifts on a 8hr salary. sometimes they are the only ones working their shift with more than 12 patients! Wicked people in high places!
Come Audit bush cutting in District 1…..
Total lack of ethics. Banana Republic
I want to applaud the most honourable BVI news for this journalism this lovely day. Journalism is not just about picking up he say she say. I like when the facts come out and carefully disseminated to the population.
And there are doctors who work their a**es off and bringing home covid to their families and can’t get pay for it.
The way some of the people were commenting on the previous articles I swear Fahie did something terrible. Politics is a serious problem in the BVI. We can’t even be impartial when things happen. Shame on Marlon for even bringing this up and giving the impression that Fahie did something wrong. This would be something the COI would even look into if it happened earlier. Marlon should be ashamed.
We get letter warning us not to speak to the COI
I could send you my copy
BS, anyone could have made a report to the COI anonymously.
this is the secret they never wanted to get out , think she smart ,i would talk to the coi my mouth large all what i no
That’s not the first such letter we in the organization received
Don’t you see, he allegedly knew about it and was assisting the cover-up. The correct thing to do would have been immediate legal actions against them.
Did something terrible? I get very upset…all the money is mine!!!!!
So who are the other chosen employees who got????
Look at the Computer Department in Government
This is happening everywhere. Check customs ,immigration and RVIPF.lol ,no shame
1st work week, 3 days of 24 hours on call= 72 hrs, thur and fri 8 hours =16 hrs, weekend on cal =48 hrs
Total hours worked 1st week 136 hours worked paid for 40 hours…..
2nd week work 2 days of 24 hours on call, Wed,thur and fri 8 hours= 24 hrs. weekend on call 48 hours
Total hous worked the 2nd week= 120 hrs still being paid for a 40 hour work week.
on call allowance a month $312.
Not being paid over time, nor a salary increase from since the doctors got theirs.
This pass abuse utter slavery, where only excellence counts My A$#.
Allowances do no flew, it is one set amount each month no matter how many hours you clock each month. When I’m tapped out, I do not get paid extra for it. They simply say, you get additional days off, and that’s all. Not everyone is benefitting the allowances. Trust me.
I guess that is why the death rate so high up there
And that woman walking around thinking she better than anyone. No manners. Who would think she will do something like this. Greed. Well God. don’t play.
People, Check back all the news media on this travesty. Somebody was trying to cover up somebody’s tail. How can you have non-disciplinary dismissal with full pay? Somebody was buying time for the perpetrators. Will the external audit (forensic) be released by the BVIHSA?
After hearing all this foolishness going on in the hospital it is sad to know our own bvislanders causing this mess. What a shame sah!
When you put a 7 year old in charge what do you expect. The Minister and the big eye doctor to blame for all of this mess. Not forgetting the former chairman of the board- Dr.S
While did you choose the worst pupil in the class to be the prefect- the big eye one convince you to do it- The big eye one dangerous too- watch her.
Now take you karma – this is how we felt when you were spinning Dr. Georges like a fiddle.
For Covering the Minister Of Health Eyes and spinning him like a topp.
For discrediting the auditor
For putting the Doctor and his children outside during storm dorian.
For beating your chest to the EVS staff telling them you are unstoppable
For insulting the patient when he was just sitting in the lobby waiting for his treatment.
Karma In you A**
MOBILE TELEPHONE ALLOWANCE CANCELLED, OVERTIME NOT BEING PAID, UNIFORM ALLOWANCE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO NURSES FOR YEARS, GRATUITY GIVEN TO ATTRACT FOREIGN HEALTHCARE WORKERS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, NURSES LEAVING BY THE DROVES, NO INCREMENT FOR YEARS, ONLY PROMISES PROMISES AND LIES. THESE PEOPLE THAT STOLE FROM THE AUTHORITY NEEDS TO BE PROSECUTED .
fix the Kronos,
you know you all temper with it
that is why the nurses cannot get their overtime
FYI
The next CEO done sabotage
But this isn’t even the worse thing she has done. I wonder if that will ever see the light of day? She and her crony. Hmmmmm
Time to give your most vote getter a chance. Too many ministers kept failing over and over. This is a gross failure of the Minister. Maybe he was so caught up in the fame he got from COVID-19 and vaccine. That almost seems like his only focus…This Govt has destroyed Decastro’s polical future. From most vote one election to out the next election. She has to blame herself to sat back and take it like a sheep. Seeing all the Failures in Labour, Education and health…
It would have been ten times worse if Sharie was the minister. Who you all trying to fool. The young lady has not one drop of experience in anything. Get away from here please! If her mother want to be a minister tell her to run.
in tola fashion “Po bust and the s**t sure running out” Le me know when the auditor need security.
Well karma for that ***. Unmanned. I can never forget your dirty behaviour when i worked with you. You set up staff against management even had one of them cursed out management and 1 week after you blessed that staff with employer of the quarter. Don’t forget that you had the staff signing petition to get a particular boss out because you wanted that position. Hmmmm your time has come. I hope you will be persecuted. While you are at home sit and think of all the wrongs you did. Wherever a man dwells his character follows him. Sorry… no bleaching cream is in the prison ?
Put the two back.
They are doing great job.
Around the world,
All managers do favoritism.
all of these happened because of greed ,selfishness, and abuse of their power , and they must be allergic to money so anytime they sees money their thier whole self begins to itch and they must thief from the organization to fulfill their greed , there is only one god and when prayers go up something must come down , let them take that in them Rax, balo have bed space send all of them up there , them so stop the increments to the staff , no uniform allowances holiday pay which is to be double pay ,they pay regular pay , if you work 12 hours they pay you 8 hours , social security sometimes never paid , what they deduct for pension plan is not what they put into the plan , your salary is always missing , ,, SO THEM BIG MOTHA FXXKERS stealling from all round , no wounder all the nurses leaving , THANKS ALMIGHTY GREAT GOD THEY CAUGHT THEM THIEVES ,, LONG HANDLED HANDS
All those financial irregularities are performed by a financial officer. None of these things are processed by HR or CEO. So the ones being blamed/accused are not the ones who are processing financial transactions because they don’t work in finance. Ask the FC why she failed to do what she should be doing. Accross the board Increments for any statutory body are determined by the board and not HR or the CEO. Therefore, they are not responsible for the lack across the board increments. The Financial Controller of any organization is responsible for reviewing recommendations of change in salary directives, which should be accompanied with the requisite documentation and signed off by the relevant persons/salary committee. The FC then sign off and make the necessary system changes. The Board determines the CEO’s salary, and when individuals act in a position where the salary exceeds their current salary, that individual’s salary is changed temporarily to the salary of the acting position’s salary including all allowances. HR and CEO does NOT have access to the financial system, and therefore all changes made to salaries must have been processed, finalized, signed off and executed by the FC. #skewedauditreport
Bleachy is that you?
no wonder all the nurses leaving and they cant get anymore coming ,their own people bring down this institution to the dogs ,now it has turned to a club i heard, yes lord , what a disgrace to the staff who cannot get a raise in salary but the big dawgs getting to thief, the funny thing thier salary is already so high but still not enough
this hospital need to go back under the management of government ,it was performing better there, trust me .. the payroll system and pension need to be examined because alot is missing from pay periods and no one can say whats wrong not one can say a thief is always a thief , u canot put a thief to guard money ,now the swamp dry
the premiere had all the rights to go in to rectify this and shine the light because b**nda and b**ndon ,there friends and family working in ther would completely drain that swamp , thank god he is always sending someone when things go wrong
seems like my hospital broke down now , ahahah my hospital ask her where is her plan and how much she spend for it ,she dont no
please dont send them back to this hospital , stop their pay they th**f enough , send them to work community service we doh need them back hospital
God said that we shall stand and observe the reward of the wicked. All the undermining. Having staff sign petition to remove a staff member because of your greed for the position. If you had taken the time to understand how a CEO functions,you would have been in a better position and not over powdered by greed and foolishness.Persons such as the FC and the Auditor have questions to answer. Why did the Auditor not pen a report to the Audit Committee? Why did the FC place checks on those transactions in the absence of the Auditor’s signature? This should be dealt with swiftly and recruitments be done to fill all tarnished office holders.
Something is very concerning with this matter.I was wondering the same thing. Retirees LAWYER UP!!
THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.WE NEED SOME MORE CONTACT TRACING.
Something is very concerning with this matter.I was wondering the same thing. Retirees LAWYER UP!!
THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.WE NEED SOME MORE CONTACT TRACING.
There is a dire need for a forensic audit. I think this may just be scratching the surface. Poor workers. Not one increment since the entrance of this great manger into the organization. Allowance systematically abolished. No overtime payment for workers who have to be on call on a daily basis. But these manager are giving themselves and friends increases and allowances for their impoverished management efforts. Not one of the two ministers of health over this period saw it necessary to intervene to rescue the organization. Please get a forensic audit don’t. There could be much more to unearth.
Ask Mr. leader of the opposition why is he fighting so hard for people accused of potential bad conduct? Is his future campaign going to be give criminals a chance or is it just to continue his pledge to oppose everything. The worst opposition ever. The one thing they revealed in 4 years is actually the Premier doing something that any honorable person would want him to do except apparently Marlon who prefers that his alleged friends remain on the job to finish covering up alleged potential misconduct. Marlon please go look by the speed bump to find out the real stuff like CSC contract or the one Patsy can’t find cuz this one ain’t it.
Little by little the people will realize that the leader of opposition business has a cr**inally infested mindset. Ask parham town boys on the block see if one would snitch.
Very interesting news. Now we know why the former CEO and former HR head were out on their a** practically overnight last year.
is We The locals sucking the life out of our own country and want to blame the people we provided work permits for.. smh shame on us..