PNP wants MOCA to investigate PetroJam scandal
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is recommending that the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency be called in to investigate allegations of corruption within PetroJam Limited as “there are clear indications of what may possibly be fraudulent transactions in the documentation available to the public so far”.
The PNP, in a release today, said the investigation “must look specifically into at least two instances of reimbursement of expenses to former chairman Percival Bahado-Singh for travel and related expenses which he did not undertake”.
The PNP alleges that Bahado-Singh was scheduled to participate in two meetings in London and Brazil, but did not attend either.
“Although he was absent from the meetings, he reportedly submitted claims and was refunded by PetroJam for air fares and per diem related to the trips,” said the PNP.
The Opposition added that “in the case of the London trip, Mr Bahado-Singh was reimbursed and originally accepted US$8,910.48 for travel expenses although he missed the meeting and in relation to his Brazil claim, PetroJam reimbursed him US$7,873.28.”
The PNP also allege another “instance of highly questionable activity [relating] to the agreement between PetroJam Limited and Asha Corporation for Financial Analyses and Managerial Services for which payments were made by direct wire transfers to the US National Commercial Bank account of Rodney Davis based on invoices dated October 15, 2017, November 16, 2017 and November 20, 2017.”
The PNP says PetroJam facilitated the direct payment to Rodney Davis, despite the fact that the invoices were presented on R
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Financial Advisors letterhead and signed by Davis on behalf of Asha Corporation.
“What is the relationship, if any, between R
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Financial Advisors and Asha Corporation? Rodney Davis’ own online information shows that he severed ties with Asha Corporation in 2016. In their testimony last week before the PAAC, PetroJam confirmed a contractual arrangement with Asha Corporation and not R
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Financial Advisors,” the PNP stated.
