LPRC Asset Recovery Task Force

Part II

LPRC Asset Recovery Task Force

January 2007

Monrovia, Liberia

U. August 12, 2005 Ecobank check no. 00258746 US$10,000.00

This check was made payable to “Cash” and was apparently cashed by a local business person.

This disbursement was initiated by a Memorandum dated August 12, 2005, from Richard B. Devine, Deputy Managing Director for Fiscal Affairs, to Siaka A. Sherif, Comptroller. The Memorandum stated:

“The Managing Director acting upon instruction of chairman Gyude Bryant has directed that we pay the sum of ($US10,000.00) Ten Thousand United States Dollars to the Ministry of Justice for Security Operations.”

The Payment Voucher, dated August 12, 2005, stated as the reason for the disbursement:

“Being payment to the Ministry of Justice for Security Operations as per the instruction of the Chairman of the NTGL H.E. Gyude Bryant”.

But, the check was not issued to the Ministry of Justice. Instead, a check was signed by Mr. Sherif and Mr. Snowe payable to “Cash.”

The check was ultimately deposited into the bank account of Ali Kafel of West Oil.

No documents have been found showing that this US$10,000.00 reached the Ministry of Justice or was used for security purposes.

V. August 19, 2005 Ecobank check no. 0025748 US$5,000.00

This check was made payable to Olivia Mussa, who cashed it and gave the funds to the Special Assistant to the Managing Director.

This disbursement was initiated by a Memorandum, dated August 19, 2005, from Edwin Snowe, Managing Director to Siaka A. Sherif, Comptroller. The Memorandum stated:

“By directive of Counselor Frederick D. Cherue, Chairman of the LPRC Board of Directors, you are hereby directed to issue a check of US $5,000.00 (Five Thousand United States Dollars) in fulfillment of a commitment made to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA).”

This Memorandum led to a Payment Voucher, dated August 17, 2005, that stated as the reason for the disbursement:

“Being payment for Public Relation as it relates to commitment made by the Managing Director to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly”

A check for US$5, 000.00 was issued to Olivia Mussa, the Chief Cashier at LPRC. Ms. Mussa took the check to the bank and cashed it. Ms. Mussa states that she immediately gave the money to G. Andy Quamie, the Special Assistant to the Managing Director.

Mussa states that she has no knowledge as to what happened with the US$5,000.00 after she transferred it to Mr. Quamie.

The records do not show the nature of any “commitment” that the Managing Director made to the NTLA. Nor do the records show what happened to this US$5,000.00 after it was given to Mr. Snowe’s assistant.

W. December 31, 2005 LBDI check no. 75025 US$25,000.000

This check was made payable to Barnabas Kasor, who cashed the check and delivered the US$25,000 to Managing Director Edwin Snowe.

This disbursement was initiated by a Memorandum dated December 31, 2005, from Frederick D. Cherue, Chairman of the Board of Directors to Edwin Snowe, Managing Director, to Siaka A. Sherif, Comptroller. The Memorandum stated:

“As per the discussion regarding fuel for the Chairman’s House, and the Executive Mansion, including assistance/gift for Christmas and Year End Bonus, Please disburse to the Office of the Chairman of the NTGL the amount of ($25,000) Twenty-five Thousand Dollars and charge same to GOL donation.”

This Memorandum led to Payment Voucher dated December 31, 2005, that stated as the reason for the disbursement:

“Being payment as Christmas bonus and for the purchase of fuel for the Executive Mansion and the residence of the Chairman Charles G. Bryant..

After cashing the check, Mr. Kasor delivered the money to Mr. Snowe. No records have been found establishing how this US$25,000.00 was actually used.

X. January 5-6, 2006 Three checks totaling US$25,000.00

On January 5-6, 2006, three checks were issued payable to Olivia Mussa:

1) January 5, 2006 US$8,000.00 by LBDI check no. 75028,

2) January 5, 2006 US$7,000.00 by IBL check no. 764

3) January 6, 2006 US$10,000 by Ecobank check no. 323862

These disbursements were initiated by a Memorandum dated December 30, 2005, from Edwin Snowe to Siaka Sherif. The Memorandum stated:

“As per the request of Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant, you are to make available US$25,000.00 (Twenty-five Thousand United States Dollars) to the Special Security Services (SSS) for security operation.”

The payment vouchers repeated the reason for these disbursements as:

“Being payment for security operations of the Special Security Services”

All three checks, totaling US$25,000.00, were made payable to Olivia Mussa, who cashed each check and delivered the money to G. Andy Quamie, the Special Assistant to Managing Director Edwin Snowe.

No records have been found showing that this US25,000.000 was passed on to SSS or was used by the GOL for security operations.

Y. January 12, 2006 IBL check no. 768 US$100,000.000

This check was issued to Olivia Mussa and cashed by her. She gave the money to Mr. Snowe’s special assistant four days before the end of the National Transitional Government of Liberia.

This disbursement was initiated by a letter from Frederick D. Cherue, Chairman of the Board of Directors to Managing Edwin Snowe that stated:

“In a meeting with the Chairman of the Liberia National Transitional Government, we discussed his trip to the ECOWAS Submit to be held in Niamey, Niger, including his delegation, Given the central government’s financial position, it was suggested, discussed, and agreed that LPRC assist with financing this trip.

Accordingly, I hereby direct that you liase with the office of the Chairman to work out the financial details of the trip and make the necessary disbursement to his office and charge same to GOL account.

Please furnish me with the details of the disbursement for the board’s attention and information .”

The Payment Voucher dated January 12, 2006 stated that the reason for this US$100,000.00 was:

“Being payment to facilitate the trip of the Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia to Niamey, Niger to attend ECOWAS summit.”

No documents have been found showing that the Chairman or any other representative of the GOL requested that LPRC provide this US$100,000.00.

Mr. Cherue’s memoranda requested that LPRC “liaise with the office of the Chairman”, that “the financial details of the trip” be worked out, and that Mr. Cherue be furnished the details “for the board’s attention and information.” None of these measures appear to have been taken.

Instead, a check was made payable to Olivia Mussa, the Chief Cashier at LPRC. Ms. Mussa cashed the check and gave the US$100,000.00 to G. Andy Quamie, Special Assistant to the Managing Director, Edwin Snowe.

No records have been found showing how this US$100,000.00 was distributed or used after it was given to Mr. Snowe’s special assistant.

This entire transaction occurred four days before the inauguration of the newly elected Government of Liberia.