Recent filings published in the February 13, 2010, issue of the Belize Gazette, and dated December 31, 2008, claim that Prime Minister Dean Barrow was worth at last report $3.3 million; more than three times his forerunner, ex-PM Said Musa, who claimed to have been worth $934,957.
The filings were made under the Prevention of Corruption in Public Life Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Belize, and published by the Office of the Integrity Commission.
Section 6 of the act requires everyone in public life to make sworn declarations of their assets, income, and liabilities, including those of spouse and children living with them.
Barrow, an attorney and representative for Queen’s Square, claimed that he held $1.55 million in freehold assets, with $1.76 million in personal property. His total reported income was $508,304.70. He reported that he had absolutely no liabilities.
On the other hand, Musa, an attorney and area representative of Fort George, reported $87,140 in liabilities, $350,834 in total income, $392,097 in personal property, and $229,000 in freehold property, for total assets of $1 million.
Mesopotamia area representative and Minister of Housing Michael Finnegan reported having a net worth of $508,053.58, with income of $101,716 and $17,488.67 in liabilities.
Belize City councilor Roger Espejo had also filed, reporting net worth of $47,798.08, with income of $37,672.39 and $33,729.15 in personal property.
Section 9 empowers the Integrity Commission to further investigate these claims, even after the filings are published in the Government’s Gazette. The Commission may initiate an investigation based on its own suspicion or a well-founded complaint from a member of the public to the Commission.
The act also gives the Commission powers to issue a severe reprimand or a fine not exceeding $10,000; to seize or forfeit to the State any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office; or recommend the person’s removal from public office.
However, the commission has no powers to impose a prison sentence.