The Guyana government said it sent Mae Thomas, an official sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department, on leave with immediate effect. The government statement came hours after an official release from the US announcing sanctions on Thomas; two businessmen, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, and their companies.
While the Mohamed men were sanctioned for public corruption, including defrauding the Guyana government of more than US$50 million in duty taxes, Thomas, a former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, was sanctioned for being the recipient of bribes to facilitate awards of government contracts.
The government said it “takes very seriously the claims contained in the press release and will continue to engage relevant United States entities on these matters.”
The Ministry of Finance and relevant statutory agencies including the Guyana Revenue Authority, will be requesting additional information on the matters highlighted, with a view to aiding local law enforcement agencies.
The Guyana government said it will continue to work with the United States government on all matters of mutual interest, including the respect for the rule of law and order.
The wide-reaching sanctions announced by the US government target the assets of the sanctioned persons and prohibit financial institutions and other persons from engaging in transactions with the sanctioned persons.
“The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the US statement read.
Read more about the sanctions below:
U.S. sanctions Mohameds, Guyana gov’t official for bribery, corruption in gold sector | OilNOW
