Police owed $13,000 by GFL
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
January 25, 2003
The Georgetown Football League owes the Guyana Police Force $13,000 and the long arm of the law is now knocking on the door of the Guyana Football Federation in an effort to receive payment.
In an ironic twist to a saga which started last August, the police, called in to investigate the GFL after it was alleged that a substantial sum of money was missing, have asked the GFF to facilitate an early settlement of the debt.
In a letter to the governing body of football it was stated that the money was owed for security duty ranks of the force performed on August 4 when the GFL season opened.
The letter to the GFF reads: “On Sunday, August 4, 2002 ranks from the Guyana Police Force performed security duty at the Guyana (sic) Football League’s football match which was held at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda from 13:00 hours. A cost of thirteen thousand dollars was charged and payment was made for the amount with a Citizen Bank cheque, number 0248, dated August 2, 2002. The cheque was deposited into the police account on two occasions but was rejected. To date the ranks have not been paid for services rendered. In this regard, I wish to inform you that an early settlement of this account will be appreciated.” The letter was dated December 16, 2002.
In response the GFF said it was in receipt of several such claims and all such matters were referred to the federation’s auditors.
“We have referred all such matters to our Auditors who in an interim report which was forwarded to your office suggested that criminal charges may be laid against certain members of the Executive of the GFL,” the GFF letter to the lawmen stated.
The letter claimed that the dishonoured cheque is “yet another” instance of criminal intent and the GFF was again seeking the police assistance in the institution of possible charges against wrong doers.
“Once we are satisfied that the Guyana Police Force is actively pursuing the matter, the GFF would be prepared from its resources to honour the indebtedness of the GFL to your organisation,” the letter added.
GFL was plunged into chaos early in August after it was alleged that treasurer Duane Campbell misappropriated approximately $500,000 from the leagues coffers.
Campbell who was at the time vacationing in Barbados swore that not a “red cent” was missing and claimed that the GFL was attempting to use her as a scapegoat. She vowed to clear her name but up to press time has been silent on the issue.
The executive of the GFL was later replaced by an Interim Management Committee.
