00:00One applicant who lost thousands of dollars told the TV6 News in May in 2025, a friend of hers
00:08provided a link to be able to acquire a grant at the Division of Settlements. It would cost her
00:14$3,000 to expedite the process. The grant was worth $50,000. A day later, a Mr. John, as we
00:22would call him, said he works at the THA Settlements Division, contacted her via phone
00:28insisting that she would get through and also encouraged her to get other people.
00:34WhatsApp messages were supplied to TV6 News of the Conversations. She said, quote,
00:39he told me to drop the money at a known mobile business in Scarborough. He communicated with me
00:46to follow up on the processing of the grant via text. He asked for additional funds to process
00:52the checks and other monies. However, he failed to call in August when he said,
00:58I was to come in to sign, end quote. Other persons who sought a similar deal at the Division
01:04of Settlements also reported a similar story, except monies were dropped off at a popular
01:10vendor in Tobago. She added, to date, no contact was made with me, and his contact numbers are
01:18going to voicemail since he collected the monies. We visited the Division to drop off documents
01:23for him. Another time, we were told he was not in for the day. TV6 News brought the matter
01:30to the attention of Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. I would love to see some of that evidence
01:36that will be fraud, fraudulent. No tubergonian should have to pay for a grant. A grant, as
01:46it suggests, is free. It's not repayable. It's meant for those who are definitely and desperately
01:52in need. Mr. Augustine said, if the situation is true, it would be tantamount to misbehavior
01:59in public office. It's not meant for those who already have. And if there is or there are
02:06tobogonians paying workers to get a grant, that is misbehavior in public office. It's a
02:13misuse of public funds. It is fraudulent. And that will warrant deeper investigation by the
02:19police. Augustine said an investigation is needed. And that is something I would be very
02:24concerned about and I would love to see the evidence of. If it involves a contracted employee
02:30for which the Executive Council has some control, certainly instructions will be given for immediate
02:37suspension pending an investigation. If it's on the public service side, then the Chief Administrator
02:43will have to trigger necessary action based on the evidence. Elizabeth Williams, TV
02:496 News.
02:506 News
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