IC refers dozens for illicit enrichment, providing false information

THE INTEGRITY Commission (IC) has reported that during the period April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023, two permanent secretaries were referred to the director of investigation at the IC, Kevon Stephenson, for illicit enrichment and/or providing false information to the anti-corruption body.

The anti-corruption agency also revealed that six parliamentarians are being investigated for illicit enrichment.

Seven lawmakers are also being probed for providing false information to the commission.

None of the parliamentarians under investigation were named.

Illicit enrichment arises under the IC Act when the person fails to explain or give a satisfactory reason for owing assets disproportionate to their lawful earnings.

The permanent secretaries under probe for illicit enrichment and or providing false information to the IC in relation to their statutory declarations were not identified.

Earlier this year, the Permanent Secretaries Board, in its submission to the Joint Select Committee reviewing the Integrity Commission Act, 2017, recommended that lawmakers should pay close attention to the fine and penalty associated with Section 43(2) of the legislation.

Section 43(2) of the IC law states: “A person who knowingly makes a false statement in a statutory declaration; knowingly gives false information at an enquiry being conducted by the director on investigation in accordance with the provisions of this part commits an offence…”.

A public servant who runs afoul of the law is liable, on conviction in a Parish Court to a fine not exceeding $2 million or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years “and the court shall make such order as it thinks fit”.

The Permanent Secretaries Board also recommended that in relation to Section 37(4) and (7) of the IC law that a review of all fines referred to in the Act be conducted.

AN OFFENCE BY LAW

Sections 37(4) states that “a person, whether orally or in writing, makes a complaint, gives information or notifies the commission about any matter, knowing it to be false or misleading… commits an offence”.

The alleged offender, if convicted, could face a fine not exceeding $1 million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding a year.

In the IC’s annual report that was tabled in Parliament yesterday, five heads of public bodies were also referred to Stephenson for illicit enrichment and/or providing false information to the IC.

And 32 “other public officials” were referred to the director of investigation for illicit enrichment and/or providing false information to the commission regarding their statutory declarations over the period 2018 to 2023.

The commission also reported that 77 of the 84 parliamentarians who were required to file a statutory declaration, submitted information on their assets, income and liabilities on or before March 31, 2023.

Following the deadline, four parliamentarians submitted their statutory declarations, and three remain outstanding.

Of the three that remain outstanding, two are from the Lower House and one from the Senate.