- The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has indicted former Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE) Director General Arthur S. Massaquoi and several former officials and associates on multiple felony counts, including economic sabotage, fraud on the internal revenue of Liberia, theft and/or illegal disbursement and expenditure of public money, misuse of public money, misapplication of entrusted property, criminal conspiracy, and criminal facilitation.
The indictment names Massaquoi, former BSE Comptroller Matthew F. Kotio, Kathinal Mitchell, Varlee F. Sanor, Isaac C. Kporkulah, Jessephen Yah Dahn, Mohammed V. Fofana, Jarso M. Duwor Jallah, and Everest Investment Company, Inc., represented by its General Manager Jandy Gray, along with "others to be identified."
Alleged DSA and Staff Payments Without Proof
According to prosecutors, Massaquoi and Kotio allegedly conspired to defraud the Government of Liberia by authorizing US$19,902.21 and LRD 9,942,758 in payments in the names of Mitchell and Kporkulah, purportedly as Daily Sustenance Allowance (DSA) to facilitate out-station activities.
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The LACC said its investigation found no evidence the activities were carried out, and the funds could not be properly accounted for.
The indictment also alleges that Massaquoi approved additional payments totaling US$71,510.53 and LRD 3,849,013.13 to employees and contracted personnel of the bureau without verifiable justification or evidence of work performed.
Prosecutors further claim that payments intended for vendors were instead made to staff, contractors and other individuals amounting to US$168,961.66 and LRD 8,475,121.18.
Benefit Trading Contract Under Scrutiny
The indictment outlines a series of transactions involving Benefit Trading International, Inc., which provided supplies and printing services to the BSE between 2024 and 2025.
Investigators said the bureau, on July 18, 2024, issued a request for quotations for stationery, cleaning supplies and petroleum products, receiving submissions from Benefit Trading, Africa Books & Stationery Store, and Glory Enterprise.
The indictment alleges that a purchase order was prepared in favor of Benefit Trading before the Bid Evaluation Panel selected the company as the "most responsive bidder," raising questions about whether the procurement process was compromised.
The LACC listed multiple invoices and deliveries under the contract, including payments and vouchers issued between August 2024 and December 2024, and said the pattern of transactions will form part of the evidence at trial.
Everest Consultancy Deal and Alleged Overpayment
The indictment also focuses on a consultancy agreement between the BSE and Everest Investment Company, Inc., a management consultancy registered on Feb. 26, 2025.
Prosecutors said the BSE issued a letter of intent to Everest on June 27, 2025, and later entered into a three-month consultancy agreement on July 3, 2025, with a monthly retainer fee of US$1,500.
However, the LACC alleges the bureau paid Everest US$2,895 in consultancy fees for July 2025--US$1,395 above the agreed monthly fee--without evidence of additional work or services provided.
The indictment further claims Acting Director General Varlee F. Sanor approved and authorized a payment of US$1,320 on July 24, 2025 despite objections from the Director of Internal Audit, who reportedly advised that the transaction did not meet required standards.
Payments Allegedly Unaccounted For
The LACC also accused Mohammed V. Fofana, then technical assistant to the acting director general, of receiving payments allegedly meant for Everest that were not properly accounted for.
According to the indictment, Fofana allegedly received LRD 30,000 on July 18, 2025, as well as US$300 on July 21 and US$500 on Aug. 5 under the pretext of collecting funds for Everest, without proof the amounts were transferred to the company.
Ganta Travel Claims
Another allegation involves payments linked to activities in Ganta, Nimba County, in connection with the funeral of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson.
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Prosecutors say a voucher was raised on Jan. 16, 2024 in the amount of US$2,832.35 for DSA for BSE officials to attend the funeral.
The indictment alleges that on Jan. 21, 2025, Kotio authorized an additional US$350 payment to facilitate travel to Ganta under the pretext of settling bills incurred by BSE officials, despite the fact that officials had already received DSA above approved rates.
Charges and Next Steps
The government said the defendants acted "with criminal minds and intentions," accusing them of violating Liberia's Penal Law, including provisions governing economic sabotage and theft and/or illegal disbursement of public funds.
The case is expected to proceed at the Temple of Justice, where the accused will be required to answer to the charges in court.
If convicted, the defendants face penalties under Liberia's criminal statutes governing first- and second-degree felonies.
