Integrity Commission To Investigate ‘The Mira MIllions’

The Integrity Commission has confirmed that it will investigate a complaint filed against Belmopan Area Representative Oscar Mira following allegations surrounding government payments made by the Ministry of Defence. The complaint, submitted last week by UDP Belize Rural Central caretaker Edward Broaster, includes dozens of invoices relating to payments made to Jenny Mira and MP Farms and alleges breaches of the Finance and Audit Reform Act.

“Today I received an email from the Integrity Commission confirming that they have received the complaint and within the context of the complaint they will launch an investigation into the matter,” Broaster told News 5. He added that the commission’s decision demonstrates that “the process works” and noted that, given the level of public interest the complaint has generated, it is important that Belizeans know the commission has agreed to act.

Although he welcomed the development, Broaster said he does not view it as a political victory. Instead, he maintained that the objective is to determine whether public funds were handled appropriately. “I am not going to speak to any victory,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that we are alleging the financial act has been breached.” Describing the payments as “very irregular,” Broaster argued that “the Belizean people deserve answers and accountability to what is being done with their taxpayers’ money.”

The Integrity Commission has also invited Broaster to strengthen his complaint. According to him, the commission has given him 30 days to submit any additional evidence or identify witnesses. Broaster said he does not anticipate any difficulty meeting that request, pointing to the information that has surfaced publicly over the past several weeks. “I am sure we will be able to gather more evidence and present it to the Integrity Commission,” he said.