By Janet Silvera, Freelance WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
CONTRARY TO popular belief, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) says the Auditor-General has found that there is no US$6 million missing from its controversial 'Operation Grow' programme that ran during 2001.
"What we have found is: there was looseness in management of the funds, absence of proper documentation and jobs done without prior approval," JTB Chairman, Dennis Morrison, told journalists at a press briefing at the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, Wednesday.
Mr. Morrison was overly confident there is no money missing and he dared all persons present to check its legitimacy, "this is a matter that can be checked, again... again, there is no money missing and there is no findings of individuals criminally responsible," he said.
Operation Grow was implemented to help to offset bad publicity generated by violence in July, 2001. Star Jones, Jane Seymour and Dule Hill were some of the celebrities used to endorse the island, with the Star Jones' promotion setting the JTB back over US$100,000.
Since the report of the findings of the audit, the chairman says corrective measures have been taken to tighten-up the day today running of the JTB offices.
"Approvals must be given at each stage, no decision can be made without proper approval," he said.
He said that the US$6 million fund could be accounted for, but the Board's troubles were not yet over. It is still considering whether or not to take criminal action against two of its former employees, who were implicated in the mismanagement of funds at its New York offices last September. A matter he says is now in the hands of criminal lawyer Frank Phipps Q.C.
The JTB came under the microscope last year, after a devastating email, supposedly from inside its New York office, was sent to the media and then Minister of Tourism, Portia Simpson Miller, alleging the misappropriation of funds and the abuse of power.
After weeks of investigations, former Deputy Director of Tourism, Noel Mignott, was relieved of his post at the New York office and his Advertising Manager, Marie Deeble Campbell, was fired. The investigations have since gone to the Auditor-General's department, which made certain recommendations to the Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
"The Auditor-General recommended that it is the responsibility of the Jamaica Tourist Board to deal with any matter concerning criminal behaviour," said Mr. Morrison.
