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The Marshall Islands is facing a new bribery scandal with more than a handful of employees forced to take their administrative leaves pending further investigation.
The Marshall Islands Journal, the nation’s newspaper reports that on New Year’s Eve the Auditor General, Attorney General’s Office and the National police launched an investigation regarding allegations that employees were taking bribes in exchange for awarding contracts.
According to reporters, investigators searched and seized computers, documents and records at the Ministry of Finance’s Procurement and Supply office, the Ministry of Health and at Genesis Pharmacy, a local business.
Investigators are reportedly conducting an aggressive investigation into the conduct of the Ministry of Health’s bidding system for the hospital’s multi-million dollar equipment and supply needs, and alleged illegal bidding practices involving the Health Ministry and Genesis Pharmacy.
RMI’s Auditor General Junior Patrick disclosed that eight government workers were placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Investigators are moving quickly and the Attorney General’s Office hopes to file the first prosecution in court soon.