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CoI recommends ‘full audit’ of Claude Skelton-Cline's Gov’t contracts

- Report calls for Auditor General to have oversight
The VI Commission of Inquiry Report released in April 2022, has called for ‘Full Audit’ of the contracts of former government consultant, Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
According to the CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, there was no tender process with respect to any of the three contracts, each of which was valued at over $100,000. Photo: VINO/File
According to the CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, there was no tender process with respect to any of the three contracts, each of which was valued at over $100,000. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– The Virgin Islands (VI) Commission of Inquiry Report released in April 2022, has called for ‘Full Audit’ of the contracts of former government consultant Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

According to the CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom, there was no tender process with respect to any of the three contracts, each of which was valued at over $100,000.

“The Premier and the public officers who gave evidence said, with some force, that it was not appropriate to put out personal policy advice to tender.”

‘The Commissioner added, “but there seems no reason why the services provided for by the contract could not have been put out to tender.”

In respect of the government contracts with Claude Skelton-Cline since 2019, the report details that it recommends as soon as possible and practical, a full audit of these contracts be performed by the Auditor General, Sonia M. Webster.

Conducted by AG or Independent person/Body 

The report also suggests that the CoI recommendations on the subject be carried by some other independent person or body instructed by the AG, and for a report on that audit be presented to the Governor.

The Audio should also include “(i) the evidenced work done by Mr Skelton-Cline under these contracts, (ii) the contractual obligations of Mr Skelton-Cline under these contracts, and any mismatch between those obligations and the work done, (iii) to the extent that he was not performing his contractual obligations, the circumstances in which Mr Skelton-Cline was paid out of the public purse, and (iv) whether the contracts provided value for money.”

The CoI report added, “Unless in the meantime the relevant BVI authorities consider otherwise, further steps including any criminal investigation and steps to recover public money (including recovery from any public official who has acted improperly) can await the outcome of that audit.”

51 Responses to “CoI recommends ‘full audit’ of Claude Skelton-Cline's Gov’t contracts”

  • See (11/05/2022, 10:45) Like (107) Dislike (1) Reply
    Loud applause
    • VGB (11/05/2022, 12:48) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who send them to the ???? ants nest
    • wanting (11/05/2022, 13:35) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
      Will it take long to audit what CSC actually did?
    • Yup (14/05/2022, 05:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Seems like this man got a lot of answering to do when God is ready for him. God is a forgiving God but He is a no-nonsense God. He knows your heart's core Mr. You can fool the ppl that follow you but you cannot fool the one who created you. If you are corrupt, it will come to light.
  • oh yea ! (11/05/2022, 11:05) Like (51) Dislike (3) Reply
    didn't the premier ( at the time) of awarding or announcing one of these contracts at a cruise ships meeting ( ironic i know) at the bvi college, that CSC would be fired if he didn't perform ? contract was i think for exploring ways to increase tourism ( i may be mistaken on the title). kind of vague.

    Well, lets see how the audit goes and if its findings will be made public. it should be...its our money. this should be the benchmark of how these things are going to go. I hope that in a years time we arent all just sitting here saying..." same old @#it different government.
    hope this is published.
  • Finally (11/05/2022, 11:08) Like (92) Dislike (8) Reply
    Progress is happening! and still people want go march to stop a temporary UK rule to get things back on track. As someone previously said, " the gravy train getting pulled from under mouths"
  • Xxx (11/05/2022, 11:17) Like (7) Dislike (123) Reply
    More lies from Gary he and the Uk got a plot going on
    • Yes… (11/05/2022, 23:44) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      It’s to stop the elite and elected stealing your money.

      But you may be too dim to comprehend.
  • Your turn now (11/05/2022, 11:22) Like (74) Dislike (1) Reply
    Boi Claude you salt meh boi
  • rudeness doesn't pay (11/05/2022, 11:24) Like (77) Dislike (3) Reply
    Well its about time
  • The Reaper (11/05/2022, 11:34) Like (95) Dislike (3) Reply
    U escape from the United state,but not from here..pay back all that Money..U do not March today….Ok
    • @the reaper (11/05/2022, 12:40) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
      When I told a few people SCS is going to be the next one to fall, and of course in typical Tortola style and norm, I was told to shut my mouth, I don’t know what I was talking about and I was just talking stupidness and my head is not good aka crazy. Seems like the ones that were labeled as being CRAY,CRAY FOR NOT BEING AFRAID TO STAND UP AND SPEAK, IS NOW COMING OUT ON TOP. YOU ALL OWE THEM A BIG A** APOLOGY.
      • @ The Reaper (12/05/2022, 06:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        That had to be one of his family member/friend you told because practically everyone has been talking about his corruptive wolf in sheep’s clothing ways for years.
  • AOC (11/05/2022, 11:43) Like (57) Dislike (1) Reply
    Your story, CSC, is similar to that of "Winnie-The-Pooh" and the honey pot. ???? He too managed to stick his nose in the pot of honey one time too many and got it stuck.
  • Really (11/05/2022, 11:45) Like (62) Dislike (0) Reply
    For Al who was wondering where he was,he was being quiet before you all threw him under the bus. He should have known they was coming for him. They are also coming for everyone that is dirty here. It's really spring cleaning time
  • smh (11/05/2022, 11:55) Like (78) Dislike (1) Reply
    YES! YES! YES! YES!
    NOW GET THE HOA FROM BEING HELD IN DUFF BOTTOM!
    ALSO, RELOCATE PORTS AUTHORITY OFFICES FROM P.L. BLDG
    • @SMH (11/05/2022, 12:49) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
      totally agree.
      why can't the "rent" money be used to renovate some other government buildings like the old post office on main street or other properties.
      hhhm, premiers office in PL building..port authority in PL building to name but a few.
      here,s an idea..put some if these government offices in tents outside the government building and move the highschool students from tents into decent buildings..id fully support paying rent for that. government priorities house their own but leave our future leaders out in the rain. something wrong with that picture
  • resident (11/05/2022, 11:59) Like (70) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for the pizza man to cough back up our dough
  • Private citizen. (11/05/2022, 12:15) Like (51) Dislike (0) Reply
    You could be a private citizen all you want but you must account for public funds. I believe we should send in someone to do the investigations. Someone neutral. We want to give this private citizen a fair shake down. I believe if it was dishonesty he should be out before the courts. Let the trial be just judge we don't want no jury. Yes he should pay back but also need to be imprisoned for his actions as he is a man of the cloth. Do you realize these VIP operatives used the name of God consistently. Don't you think it is time to suspend his involvement in the church activities what is a certain bishop waiting for.
  • lol (11/05/2022, 12:16) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
    Need that money back in the Treasury please and thanks
  • WW3 (11/05/2022, 12:23) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    check the other JC pastor too
  • Hmm (11/05/2022, 12:35) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonder if this will shut his mouth now?
  • vi (11/05/2022, 12:46) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    The thing start what’s about the 11 million dollar bridge and biwater pier park and bvi airways
  • Kwame Kilpatrick (11/05/2022, 12:56) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    He'll disappear
    • He is not alone.. (11/05/2022, 15:57) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
      All the people involved should be punished, the Minister, the Premier, the financial secretary, all are culprable..
  • refund (11/05/2022, 13:43) Like (48) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm still trying to figure out exactly what invaluable service Mr. Skelton Cline performed for the territory that merited $300,000 of my tax dollars be paid to him. I don't know about you, but I don't define "cheerleading" as a particularly invaluable service for government.
    The Irma-ravaged high school has been a wasteland for four years (a national embarrassment!), that's just one of the many, many, places where the $300K could have been better spent.
    I want my money back. I want a refund!
    • @refund (11/05/2022, 15:05) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't forget We still don't have a Main Public Library. But yet all those who collected big Consultation Cheques try to act as if they not greedy. and claimed its for the benefit of the Territory without Transparency or Reports.
  • ugly (11/05/2022, 13:45) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know it was coming don't be surprised God don't like ugly.
  • truth be told (11/05/2022, 14:37) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is one of the COI i was looking forward too. The first time I ever listen to this man preach was at a back to school service at NTCOG under VIP party (he had just come back from USA then). Right then and there seeing he had just come back from USA and government had given him 300k plus to start a youth program. I saying to myself He just come back and done getting this kind of money to handle. Then i found out his History; and now until this day i am still waiting for the results of his program he was given 300k to setup.


    COI PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE ALMIGHTY WHICH THIS MAN CALLS ON REGULAR. DO A FULL PROPER Investigation of this MAN.

    He says He is a MAN of GOD. But i feel he is like the then premier WORSHIPPING THE GODS and not the ALmight God
    • Green Flags (11/05/2022, 16:40) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Symbols of evil witchcraft. Those green flags represent green demonics and dark magic. Take them down BVI!
      • Hon. Kye Rymer (12/05/2022, 06:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        We are requesting that you gather BVIEC to remove all those remaining green cloths from the Territory.
        • Flag Patrol (12/05/2022, 21:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          They're not gonna take them down any time soon. Their "guaranteed" win of the next election shall not come to pass if they do. They waiting for the six month mark to reach.
  • IMO (11/05/2022, 14:48) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hickinbottom of course recommends these things but what can be done legally besides nothing. The contracts were vague and void of deliverables so anyone involved can argue that the terms of the contract were met. There's no legal ground to recover the funds b/c there was nothing to be produced. I am going off what I have heard and not what I know to be fact however I think the only case they have is that there was no tender for these bogus contracts. The problem we've had here for a long time is people believing that they the public purse is to provide for their personal living expenses. These people are blood suckers of the poor, needy, the old, the feeble, the sick & unfortunate. They are the worst kind of citizens to have within our walls. Whether they hide behind a pulpit or not, I am old enough to remember when the pimps became preachers.
    • TO IMO (11/05/2022, 16:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      “There's no legal ground to recover the funds b/c there was “nothing to be produced”. Yes IMO? Money for nothing produced. Okay time to wake up.
  • sir (11/05/2022, 15:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no way out of this one. I suggest you admit to the dew and get it over with and hope that all your i’s is dotted and your t’s is crossed.
  • seems (11/05/2022, 15:12) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like everyone is going down. This time around, you can’t cover up, you can’t fast talk your way out. BIG HOUSE CLEANING. They are letting out the stale air and allowing the clean fresh air to flow in.
  • cry (11/05/2022, 15:28) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    People tears was falling a long time. The kerosene pan got filled with tears do you remember. From then until now tears tears tears. Time longer than twine ask the old people. Repent repent repent and give back double if that is the case.

    There is no small sin or no big sin. Sin is sin and all of us have come short of God's Glory. Pointing finger do the exercise we have so much coming back at us. However we must make a change in our lives and habits that may cause us to loose sight of the prize before us. Time for all to take some self introspection.
  • Can't Disrespect the Governor.. (11/05/2022, 15:54) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    I been annoyed on so many occasions by the disrespect he utter at the Governor. Fahie never caution him. Fahie encourage him and joined with. No wonder they are the two most wanted....Some people think the BVI belong to them, they can do what they want, now they are called to answer for their wrongs. They realize their thinking was wrong..
  • what (11/05/2022, 15:57) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is pay baçk time What goose around comes around don't k how long it takes you better believe it
  • Honestly Speaking (11/05/2022, 16:22) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    He was on his show yesterday and he didn't even know what to say. The show had no substance. All he talked about was people gossipping and spreading rumors and quoting from the Bible.

    Send he up Balo if he is found guilty. He and Head Coach are too bold-faced! And got the audacity to be hiding behind the name of God.
  • Well (11/05/2022, 16:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The who take over the whole lot of Road Town no name no warrant that one is on the list for sure you better believe it
  • sin (11/05/2022, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @cry Sin without repentance, sin with repetition. Ok then. We’ll take care of mans repetitious sin here on earth. God WILL Judge at the Judgement.
  • News (11/05/2022, 19:03) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Miss. Board hopper is the next one on the list.
  • Dying with laugh (11/05/2022, 19:32) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lord ayo them comment sweet mah boi
  • tola (11/05/2022, 21:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God don't like ugly
  • no kidding (11/05/2022, 21:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seem like Andrew was jumping into some type of dictatorship role. If this drama did not broke out, the same fools would put him back in office. All he needed was 4 more years to fully control the people and the territory.
  • The LAW! (11/05/2022, 21:51) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you don't follow the LAW: The LAW will follow YOU
  • Motion (12/05/2022, 09:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He best run go where they cant get him lol yo talk to much smack now they on he tail


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