The Integrity Commission says that complaints alleging corruption can be formally submitted and investigated under Belizean law.
As the Oscar Mira scandal continues to unfold, News Five reached out to the recently appointed chairperson of the Integrity Commission, Andrea McSweeney-McKoy.
She told News Five, “the Integrity Commission cannot provide the comment you seek as it relates to matters our governing legislation clearly states are secret and confidential… I can also highlight for you a number of the Commission’s detailed investigative procedures set out in sections 34 to 42 of the Act which are triggered by the filing of a complaint from any person who alleges that an act of corruption has been committed,” she stated.
McSweeney‑McKoy explained that any person who believes an act of corruption has occurred may file a complaint with the commission. Such matters can then be investigated, reviewed, and either determined by the commission or referred to an inquiry or investigative authority. She added that the commission will soon post a detailed complaints procedure on its social media pages.
Her comments follow Prime Minister John Briceño’s announcement of an independent review into government payments linked to relatives of Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira. Speaking in Orange Walk Town on Thursday, the Prime Minister told reporters he will ask the Financial Secretary to engage the Auditor General to examine the transactions under scrutiny.
Briceño explained that the audit will determine whether procurement procedures were followed and whether government received value for its spending, adding that he will not prejudge the outcome and any further action would depend on the findings of the review.
The controversy has intensified after leaked records showed that MP Farms, owned by Mira’s brother Brian, received nearly $400,000 in government payments processed through dozens of invoices below the $10,000 threshold.
Additional scrutiny also fell on past payments to Jenny Mira, the minister’s sister, and on reports involving another brother, Stanley Mira, deepening public concern over the family’s financial ties to government contracts.
Minister Oscar Mira has publicly denied any role in awarding government contracts to his relatives, insisting he sits on no procurement committees and has “no say” or “influence” in the process.
In a social media post dated in March, the Integrity Commission informed the public that corruption is a criminal offence under Belizean law and can include “giving or receiving an improper advantage, influencing decisions unfairly, or interfering with public contracts. An “advantage” is not limited to money. It can include gifts, property, employment benefits, or special treatment.”
