MONROVIA: Liberia’s former deputy finance minister has been linked to corruption and money laundering, in the latest scandal to hit the Ministry of Finance and the Unity Party government before the end of May.
Rebecca Yonger McGill who left office as deputy minister in May appeared in audit report after she approved US$211,797.00 in favor Duke CARMAX Inc as a payment for three buses.
Ms. McGill has since remained silent over the findings in the audit report conducted by the Internal Audit Agency and the Special Committee at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Coming just under six months, the audit findings and subsequent actions have added to the prestige of the new Boakai led administration which is struggling in the polls amid weak economy and accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Rebecca Y. McGill is the latest in a string of senior former officials, including Stanley Ford, the former head of the Financial Intelligent Unit, to be embroiled in corruption scandal. She is accused of receiving double payment from the Public Financial Management Unit, (PFMU) in the Ministry of Finance.
“As a result of system failure notification PFMU had paid an extra of US$80,000 to the Ministry of Finance and Development account,” said Papin Daniels in a submission contained in the audit report.
“Because of this, the transfer was handled twice which led to the double payment in DLI’s account in mid of 2022 MFDP, through Mr. Alhaji Dukuly and former DMA (Rebecca Y. McGill).”
Mr. Daniels said the two officials allegedly refused to return the money, totaling US$160,000 even after repeated requests for it via email, voice messages or conversation. The audit report confirmed statement which was backed with evidence.
Rebecca Yonger McGill served as Deputy Minister for Administration between 2018 to 2023 –her appointment at the time drew criticisms from the opposition members citing incompetence.
The former Deputy Minister is a family person to Margibi County Senator, Nathaniel McGill who is facing US sanction for widespread public corruption in Liberia.
