Monrovia – Sinoe County Senator Milton Teahjay continues to be on the run as sheriffs are in search of him to answer to crimes of economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, violation of Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) Processes and procedures for awarding contracts.
Report by Lennart Dodoo – [email protected]
He was indicted alongside T. McDonald Wlemus, Jr. former Development Superintendent of the county.
FrontPageAfrica has been informed that since the indictment was issued on March 1, 2017, Sen. Teahjay is yet to be found as his whereabouts remain unknown. He has also not been attending sessions at the Senate, this paper observed.
The indictment, which originates from an investigation conducted by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), accused the former Sinoe County Superintendent and his deputy of expending US$50,000, representing 30% of land rental fees entrusted to Teahjay and Wlemus by the Government for the development of the county.
“In addition, Teahjay illegally disbursed, used and expended without any evidence, US$12,000 of proceeds realized from sales of rubber seized from illegal tappers from the SRC plantation,” the indictment statement.
“Therefore, the defendants did knowingly, feloniously, purposely, criminally, maliciously, willfully, and intentionally steal, pilfer, take and carry away, exercise unauthorized control over and converted the total amount of US$12,000 to his own use and benefit and or the use of benefits of others.”
Further to the litany of charges allegedly committed, the indictment disclosed that “defendant J. Milton Teahjay awarded contracts valued at US$764,500 to individuals and or companies without the processes and procedures required for the awarding of such contracts.”
Giving a breakdown of how the various crimes were committed, the indictment revealed that during December 2009 and March 2012 Defendants Teahjay and Wlemus, using their positions and authority as Superintendent and Development Superintendents respectively, took advantage of their influence as chief custodians of all county and social development funds and other monies allocated to the county and created the opportunities to embezzle the total amount of US$50,000 without the consent of and approval of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“The amount, which was received from Forestry Development Authority (FDA), was intended for development purposes which would have been determined by the County Development Agenda emanating from the county council resolution, however, they, not being mindful of their fiduciary duties to the people of Sinoe, wrongfully, feloniously, illegally converted the money.”
US$35,000 of the money, according to Teahjay, as stated in the indictment, was used to purchase a Mitsubishi jeep for the use of the county authorities without any evidence of the purchase of such jeep or accountability for the vehicle or its scraps.
According to the indictment, on the contrary, the government in 2008 purchased and distributed Mitsubishi Pajero jeeps to all county superintendents including co-defendant Teahjay.
He also allegedly received from SRC, resources intended for social development fund in the tone of US$12,000 of US$17,000 and allegedly converted same into his personal use, thereby committing the crime of economic sabotage.
Explaining how defendants Teahjay and Wlemus violated PPCC laws, the indictment revealed that Teahjay, in his capacity as Superintendent and being charged with the responsibility as Chairman of the County Procurement Committee to ensure that all required PPCC processes and procedures regarding the awarding of contracts to individuals or companies were followed, did knowingly and wrongfully award seven development projects at a total contract value of US$764,500.00 in total disregard for the required PPCC bidding process and procedures.
“That though the contract value of each of the seven projects was above the threshold of US$10,000 and therefore required bidding processes and procedures as provided in the PPCC Act and its regulations, Co-defendant Teahjay for his own benefit and or benefit of others awarded the below development projects to individuals and or companies without due regard to the required PPCC processes and procedures.
In some instances, contracts were awarded full and or substantial amounts paid to individuals and or companies that did not have the capacity and or ability to perform which situation led to the delay in performance while other projects are on-going.
The conducts of the Co-defendant, Teahjay are in gross violation of the laws controlling in such cases.”
PROJECT |
CONTRACT AMOUNT |
Greenville City Electrification Project |
US$495,000.00 |
Diyankpo Administrative Building Project |
US$40,000.00 |
Kunwiah Clinic Project |
US$35,000.00 |
Greenville Sport Stadium Contract |
US$75,000.00 |
Pyne Town Administrative Building Contract |
US$49,000.00 |