FINANCIAL COMPTROLLER OF BVI TOURIST BOARD FACES 118 CHARGES

38-year-old Verna Maduro of Baughers Bay appeared in Magistrate’s Court on 16 October to face 118 charges. Maduro, who was arrested on Saturday, is the financial comptroller of the BVI Tourist Board.

According to police sources Maduro is charged with 81 counts of theft, 18 counts of breach of trust by a public official, 18 counts of invasion of liability by deception and 1 count of false accounting.

Police records indicate that an investigation was mounted after Police were notified of the suspected fraudulent use of credit cards that were the property of the BVI Tourist Board. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant for Maduro’s residence, where Police seized certain articles and documents.

According to a key investigator, Maduro is charged with stealing over $500,000. He noted that the investigation is continuing and the possibility remains that additional charges would be filed.

Maduro was granted bail in the sum of $300,000.00: $100,000.00 signed with $200,000.00 cash. In addition, she is required to report to the Road Town Police Station four days per week.

On Tuesday BVI Tourist Board Chairman Russell Harrigan issued the following statement:

 “The recent allegations of financial impropriety against a member of staff at the BVI Tourist Board have been deeply troubling to our entire team. We are all deeply saddened by these events. As Chairman of the Tourist Board, it is important to state at the outset that we should not rush to judgment in this case, as the Financial Comptroller is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the Courts would ultimately determine culpability. The Financial Comptroller was placed on administrative leave effective September 29 2006, as is the standard operating procedure in such instances.

“It is important for the people of the BVI to know with confidence that the men and women of the Tourist Board are working very hard to promote our Territory around the world and are deeply committed to the growth of our tourism industry and the continued contribution of tourism to our community.

“Since these allegations came to light, I have met with our entire staff based in the BVI and instructed them that during these difficult days, nothing is more important than for them to remain focused 100% on doing their jobs to the best of their abilities and keeping our industry running strong. Later in the week I will speak to the overseas staff.

“In addition, the members of the Board met last week and this matter was discussed and I have also been in consultation with the Chief Minister’s Office. The Board has taken a decision to review the accounting systems in place and to that end directed that we retain the services of CCP Financial Consultants Ltd., an independent local accounting firm to conduct a thorough review of our internal financial controls and to make recommendations for how we can ensure that financial impropriety does not occur in our organization. 

“I would like to conclude by noting that the tourism season will soon be upon us. The people of the BVI should know that the BVI Tourist Board will be there providing the support our local industry needs to make this season a successful season.  We will do our part to keep our economy growing and our community moving forward.”