By D. Abraham Cooper
A leaked audio recording circulating in Grand Gedeh County has sparked public concern after it allegedly captured two local officials discussing a plan to divert $4,000 in public funds.
The recording is said to involve S. Marcus Jalarue, the Youth Representative on the Grand Gedeh County Council, and Sylvester S. Weah Sr., a senior county staff member and Chief Accountant. Both men are alleged to have discussed how to share the money among them.
In the audio, voices believed to be those of the two men can be heard discussing the funds in what appears to be a coordinated arrangement.
“We will take our own portion and settle it quietly,” one voice is heard saying in the recording.
The other voice responds, “Make sure everything is well arranged so it does not come back to us.”
The conversation has not been independently verified, but the contents have already triggered outrage among residents and civil society actors in the county.
Community members say the alleged discussion reflects a troubling pattern of misconduct in local governance and weak oversight of public finances.
“This is exactly the kind of thing that destroys trust in government,” one resident in Zwedru said following the leak. “If public money can be shared like this, then who is protecting the people’s resources?”
Civil society advocates have also called for a swift and transparent investigation into the matter, warning that failure to act could further erode confidence in local administration.
The Grand Gedeh County administration has not yet issued an official response to the allegations contained in the audio.
However, pressure is mounting on county authorities to launch a full inquiry and determine the authenticity of the recording.
Some local observers say the incident highlights the need for stronger accountability systems at the county level, particularly in the management of public funds.
Others argue that the case, if proven true, should lead to immediate disciplinary and legal action against anyone involved.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has also been urged by residents and activists to take interest in the matter and determine whether an investigation is warranted.
For now, the leaked audio continues to circulate widely across social media and community networks, fueling debate over corruption and governance in Liberia’s local administration structures.
