PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) has launched an investigation into allegations of overpayment made to certain officers.

The investigation, ordered by acting Chief of Defence Staff Captain Hayden Pritchard, is being conducted as part of more stringent auditing regulations to clamp down on financial mismanagement within the force.

A release on Sunday stated that the police have been notified.

“The TTDF commends its internal auditors on the work undertaken in this matter to date and reconfirms its commitment to driving the continued improvement of the organisation whilst being ever mindful of the need for care and caution in due process,” the release stated.

On Saturday, former Minister of National Security Gary Griffith issued a statement in which he accused law enforcement agencies of carrying out borderline extortion against the promoters of certain sporting events by requesting unnecessary manpower (which must be paid for) for these events.

Shortly after the details unfolded, military sources revealed that a low-ranking officer within the Regiment had confessed to stealing approximately TT$2 million.

The officer along with another, as well as a civilian employee were implicated in the theft.

The missing funds were brought to the attention of the Defence Force after a replacement for the civilian employee, who is believed to be on sick leave, discovered discrepancies in invoices at the accounting department.

The Trinidad Newsday reports that according to sources, the officer said he stole the money after he allegedly saw others stealing.