Sanctioned Margibi County Senator, Nathaniel F. McGill, is back in the news again for the wrong reasons as LACC invites him for questioning over allegations of payroll fraud.
This time around, the senator has received a communication from one of Liberia’s anti graft institutions demanding his presence to answer questions relatively to the over padding of payroll at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs where he had earlier served.
After the release of his letter, Verity News went deeper and uncovered the documentation that gave rise to his presence at the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
In a communication dated August 16, 2024, the LACC informed the lawmaker that it has initiated an investigation into allegations of Payroll Padding and acts of corruption resulting from salary payments affecting a Supplementary Payroll containing 728 names at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, which was allegedly created outside of the framework of the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
In the communication, the Commission outlined details of the allegations revealing that the Supplementary Payroll which contains 728 names, was allegedly created under his instruction while serving as Minister of the Ministry of State.
“Accordingly, the process was marred by irregularities amounting to payroll paddling. Administrative Malpractice, acts of corruption, among others.”, the letter stated.
“Given your position as Minister of the Ministry of State at the time, the LACC believes that you could provide some useful information to aid its investigation”
The Liberia Anti- Corruption Commission in the communication asked the former member of the Executive Branch and now lawmaker of Margibi county who is under U.S sanction to appear on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
This Newspaper upon taking possession of the letter uncovered audit documents from the General Auditing Commission which is damning and speaks to the need for a thorough investigation.
The document which contains about 134 pages unveiled names that were included with no details on letters of employment, social security statuses among others.
The audit report uncovered that hundreds of individuals were placed on the Ministry’s payroll without going through the right procedures before getting employed.
Meanwhile, Senator Nathaniel McGill took to his official Facebook page to respond to the communication from LACC addressed to him.
“In light of our unwavering stance against bad governance and the government’s unsuccessful attempts to silence our voice, we have received formal communication from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC),” he starts in his post.
According to him, as public servants committed to transparency and accountability, no number of allegations can deter or silence him.
“We remain resilient in our advocacy for transparency and accountability, and we will continue to stand firm in our efforts to ensure that good governance prevails.”
He at the same time committed himself to adhere to the invitation extended to him.
“Out of respect for the LACC, we will attend the inquiry session scheduled for tomorrow at 11 AM, after which I will address the press.”
Sadly, reactions from the public about his post do not seem favorable for him as many lashed out at him.
One of the commenters stated under his post: “McGill, you’re only grandstanding. What you would achieve by posting this information here is not to seek public sympathy?”
Another wrote stating: “See who’s committed to transparency, accountability and good governance. I beg my left seed yaa”, expressing their frustration in the lawmaker response on social media.
