OFF THE CUFF: Forensic audits and sleepless nights.

A FORENSIC AUDIT of the National Assistance Program (PAN), will cost the taxpayer $850,000, and some former public servants and elected officials, more than a few sleepless nights.

 The auditing team will be delving into reported irregularities of the entity that in four years spent $1.2 billion in construction and appliance purchases, many of them during the election campaign.

 The company commissioned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is Rogers Forensic Auditors, which, according to Minister Dulcidio De La Guardia, is a company “dedicated exclusively to conduct forensic audits at national and international levels.
“Roger Harper is a certified and experienced forensic auditor employed to detect fraud and corruption and money laundering programs. Among his credentials is that he is a certified fraud examiner a credential currently requiredto form part of FBI investigations”
The MEF also explained it will be calling for bids to audit the 153 community boards, where, according to authorities more irregularities in the management of public funds were found. Sleeping draughts will be in big demand across the country

TWISTING IN THE WIND– While some possible malefactors may be tossing and turning as the books come under the scrutiny of auditors with long experience of bringing their likes to face justice,  another group who thought their futures secure for the next five years, now have to face the Electoral TribunaL(TE), which  has set hearings for three deputies and seven representatives whose wins in the May 4 elections have been challenged. The deputies having hearings are Mariela Vega of Donoso, in the 7-2 circuit; Notiel Salerno, in the 2-4 circuit and Omar Castillo in the 2-1 circuit. The hearings have been scheduled for September and October. Some of them will need a Plan B, and may also be facing audits.