Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Oct 17, 2024

Obstructing audit functions now a criminal offence with fines

Obstructing audit functions now a criminal offence with fines

The Virgin Islands Government of National Unity has amended the Audit Act 2003 and the Service Commission Regulations which now makes the obstruction of audit functions a criminal offense.

The amendment made to the Audit Act, No.13 of 2003 is as set out in the Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms, with the intention to address Recommendation B16 of the Commission of Inquiry report which advises “that consideration be given to amending the Audit Act 2003 so as to make a failure on the part of any person to cooperate with or otherwise impede the Auditor General without a legitimate excuse, a criminal offence.”

Deputy Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr according to a release from the Government Information Service said the Amendments signify the Government’s commitment to a more accountable Public Service.

“As we move swiftly to exact the strategy outlined in the Framework for Implementation, each step brings us closer to greater accountability in the Public Service that the public deserves. I am confident that these amendments carry significant weight and will allow an enhanced audit process for everyone as good governance continues to be a critical part of the public service transformation plan.”

Deputy Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr according to a release from the Government Information Service said the Amendments signify the Government’s commitment to a more accountable Public Service.


Amendment took effect August 10, 2022


The amendment came into effect on August 10, 2022, where Section 21B has been inserted to the Act and stipulates that a person who, without lawful excuse, fails to cooperate with or otherwise impedes, hinders or resists the Auditor General in the discharge of duty or the exercise of a power conferred on him or her, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars.

The release noted that similarly, the Service Commissions Regulations have been amended to address recommendation B17, which speaks to the consequences for public officers who fail to cooperate with the Office of the Auditor General and the Director of Internal Audit.

“Failure by a public officer to cooperate with the Office of the Auditor General or Internal Audit Department will be considered an act of gross misconduct that carries a stiff penalty,” the release added.

The amendment states that in the case of a first-time misconduct, the Public Officer is subject to up to 30 days’ suspension as well as demotion. In the case of a second time and subsequent misconduct, the officer is subject to dismissal.

The recommendation also applies to employees of statutory boards where all Statutory Boards were given instructions by the Acting Governor to amend their governing documents to ensure that this recommendation is addressed and are well underway with making the necessary amendments.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
US Warns Israel of Potential Aid Cuts Over Gaza Assistance Delays
Meta Faces Legal Battle Over Teen Social Media Addiction
UK Government Proposes Weight-Loss Injections to Combat Obesity and Boost Employment
UK Gambling Firms Face Market Turmoil Amid Possible Tax Hike
Labour MP Criticizes UK's Dependence on Elon Musk's X
Tracey Emin Questions the Longevity of Male Artists' Creativity
Pay Growth Decline in Great Britain May Lead to Interest Rate Cuts
David Cameron Reveals Planned Sanctions on Israeli Ministers
UK Unveils Weight Loss Jabs for Unemployed to Boost Health and Economy
Incineration: UK's Dirtiest Power Source
Potential National Insurance Rise for Employers Under Consideration
Russia's Call for a BRICS Financial System Alternative
Indigenous Groups in Brazil Protest Carbon Credit Deal
Only A Third Of Europe's Surface Waters Are Healthy
Taiwan Records Unprecedented Chinese Military Activity Post-Drills
Israel Vows to Limit Retaliatory Strike on Iran to Military Facilities
Four Killed in Tesla Electric Car Fire in France
Man with Weapons Arrested Near Trump Rally in California
How Ego and Pettiness are Sinking the UK Economy
China Conducts Military Drills Around Taiwan: A Strategic Warning
Tech Boosts Singapore’s Economy to 4.1% Growth in Q3
US Deploys THAAD Missile Defense System to Israel
DNA Evidence Suggests Christopher Columbus Was a Sephardic Jew
Rise in Self-Diagnosed ADHD Among Adults
Noel Tata Appointed Chairman of Tata Trusts Following Ratan Tata's Passing
Keir Starmer Reflects on His First 100 Days as Prime Minister
UK Investigates Firms for Alleged Russian Oil Sanctions Breaches
Keir Starmer's First 100 Days: Achievements and Challenges
Exposing Mohamed Al Fayed: A Personal Battle
Tesla's Robotaxi Design Strikes Controversy
Tragedy Strikes MSC Virtuosa Near Channel Islands
Scottish DJ Jackmaster Dies After Head Injury in Ibiza
Alex Salmond: A Political Life of Contrasts and Influence
Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Dies
North Korea Accuses South Korea of Drone Leaflet Campaign
Poll Shows Trump Favored Over Harris in Handling Wars
Boeing to Reduce Workforce by 10% Amid Financial Strain
Prospect of UK Rejoining the EU Discussed by Peter Mandelson
UK Businesses Halt Hiring Due to Budget Speculations
Council of Nations Aims to Revitalize UK Power-Sharing
Starmer Criticizes Minister's P&O Ferries Boycott Call
BBC Initiates Review to Counteract Workplace Power Abuses
Key Insights from Post Office Chief Nick Read's Horizon IT Inquiry Testimony
Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick: Perspectives in Tory Leadership Race
Cocaine Smuggling Operation in Banana Shipment Foiled by UK Authorities
Police Investigate 40 New Allegations Against Mohamed Al Fayed
Government Navigates Dispute Over DP World's £1bn London Port Expansion
Historic Floods Reshape Sahara Desert Landscape
Noel Tata Appointed Chairman of Tata Trusts
Brazilian Man Arrested for Decades-long Abuse and Imprisonment of Family
×