A thorough investigation by Verity News has uncovered dozens of CBL checks showing how a protégé of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah, who served at the WASH Commission as Comptroller, Mr. Francis C. Snorton, led a syndicate of withdrawing over LRD 31,688,000 and USD 316,200 over the counter from the WASH Commission’s operational account at the Central Bank of Liberia.
Mr. Snorton claimed that the money was used to implement projects on behalf of the Commission, but our investigation shows that no projects were implemented as claimed. Despite clear evidence of financial misconduct, Snorton has faced no consequences for his actions, raising serious questions about accountability within Liberia’s public institutions.
Snorton’s role in the scandal came to light when audits revealed large sums of money were withdrawn from the WASH Commission’s account without any supporting documentation or explanation of their intended use. Despite this, Snorton remains free from prosecution or any legal action. His actions, which are widely viewed as an attempt to misappropriate funds, have caused outrage among the public and led to increasing skepticism about the management of Liberia’s public resources.
What makes this situation even more concerning is the alleged involvement of Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah in sending Snorton to the WASH Commission and using him as a conduit to allegedly divert the entity’s money to unknown accounts. Fallah is said to have played a role in positioning Snorton within the Commission, potentially as part of a strategy to influence and corrupt the institution. This claim adds another layer of difficulty to the already troubling case, with critics suggesting that Fallah’s political power might have been used to protect Snorton from facing any consequences for his actions.
Snorton’s current employment at APEX University of Liberia (AUL), owned by Thomas Fallah, further reinforces the perception of impunity. His continued role at an institution linked to a prominent political figure raises concerns about whether Liberia’s public institutions are being exploited for personal gain by the powerful and well-connected.
The scandal at the WASH Commission has caused frustration among citizens who are demanding answers about how such large sums of money could be withdrawn without proper oversight or transparency. The lack of accountability for those involved, especially Snorton, has only deepened public concerns about the effectiveness of Liberia’s efforts to combat corruption.
With the evidence now in the public domain, many call for a thorough investigation into the case. Civil society groups, and concerned Liberians are demanding that those responsible for this misconduct be held accountable, regardless of their political affiliations or connections. The case has highlighted the persistent issues of financial mismanagement and corruption within the country’s public institutions, raising the urgent need for reforms to ensure that such abuse of power is no longer tolerated.
