The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs (MOS) has acted upon findings of an investigation conducted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) regarding allegations of payroll padding under the Supplementary Payroll scheme, dismissing three employees and reinstating one.
This action comes after the LACC’s probe into possible fraudulent activities involving payroll manipulation.
According to a release issued by the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs (MOS) on Wednesday, November 13, 2023, those dismissed include Mr. Lamine Sharpe, Director of Budget/Finance; Atty. Harry B. Sando, Financial Comptroller, and Mr. Mohammed S. Kromah, Assistant Minister for Human Resources.
The dismissal is in response to detailed investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), which revealed participation in a payroll padding scheme.
However, Mr. James Y. Tolker, Deputy Financial Controller, was cleared of any involvement in the scheme and has been reinstated to his position.
“These actions reflect the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, ethical governance, and protecting public resources. Reforms are ongoing to prevent future incidents”, the release says.
The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs says it remains committed to upholding public trust and safeguarding Liberia’s resources. Additional reforms are being implemented to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
In April this year, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) requested Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill to information in connection with investigations into allegations of payroll padding during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
The LACC’s inquiry centers on allegations of improper management of a Supplementary Payroll, which included 728 names and was created outside the Civil Service Agency’s (CSA) framework during Senator McGill’s tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs.
The commission pointed to significant irregularities and administrative misconduct in the creation and management of the payroll under McGill’s direction.
The LACC invited Senator McGill to provide information to assist in the investigation and advised him to bring relevant documents and legal counsel.
In a communication dated August 16, 2024, addressed to Senator Nathaniel McGill, the LACC states that the details of the allegation reveal that the supplementary payroll containing 728 names was created outside of the CSA framework during the Minister’s tenure.
“Given your position as Minister of the Ministry of State at the time, the LACC believes you could provide useful information to aid this investigation. Hence, you’re invited. You are also advised to come with your legal counsel and all relevant documents to support your testimony,” the LACC communication read.
In February, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs revealed that its payroll was bloated, with over 730 unauthorized employees on a supplementary payroll.
Atty. Cornelia Kruah Togba, then Deputy Minister for Administration-designate, at a Senate hearing, highlighted that the supplementary payroll was privately managed by the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning and of State for Presidential Affairs during the administration of former President George Weah. Press Release
