SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine – Local Government Minister Dean Peart has ordered an investigation into claims by former Spanish Town Mayor Dr Raymoth Notice that corruption is rampant at the St Catherine Parish Council (SCPC), and that one councillor was able to divert $1 million from a road project and use the money to purchase land for a community centre.

“The minister has instructed the permanent secretary to put in train a team of auditors from the ministry to examine the books of the St Catherine Parish Council, to identify the paper trail for the alleged misappropriation of the funds involved,” minister of state in the Ministry of Local Government & Environment Harry Douglas said on Thursday.

Douglas told the Observer that although Peart had not placed a time limit on the audit, the minister was expecting the results of the team’s investigation “as early as possible”.

This is the second time in 24 months that the ministry is investigating allegations of wrongdoing at the SCPC. In fact, a number of other councils have also been probed.

Douglas said the allegations were serious and should not be allowed to go unchallenged. “They must be investigated,” he said.

Mayor of Spanish Town and chairman of the SCPC, Dr Andrew Wheatley, told the Observer that the allegations were “being looked into”.

The mayor, however, pointed out that the probe being conducted by his office cannot be considered a “forensic audit” as some commentators have claimed. “They are merely allegations, and we are looking into it,” he insisted. “A councillor has levelled serious allegations against a colleague and the council itself. This is a very serious matter.

It cannot be allowed to stand as it could damage the good name of the council, the system and the country,” he added.

Charges of the alleged mishandling of funds were first made by Councillor Notice (JLP, Bog Walk division) at last week’s monthly council meeting held in Spanish Town. According to Notice, a councillor – whom he refused to name – had diverted the money without seeking and obtaining the council’s authority to do so.

Notice made the allegations and won bi-partisan support as councillors from both political parties loudly voiced their opposition to corruption at any level.

“Yes, dem must go a prison, the council can’t run so,” shouted Councillor John Wilson (PNP, Old Harbour Bay division).