Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that one of the car dealerships implicated in the ongoing vehicle scandal has agreed to repay $10 million to the government.
Although PM Browne did not identify the company in his Facebook post, we are reliably informed that it is Harney Motors.
The company has reportedly entered into a restitution agreement following weeks of investigations into unauthorized duty-free vehicle transactions.
In a post shared to his official Facebook page early Thursday morning, Browne confirmed that restitution had been secured and that the government expected additional recoveries from another dealership currently under audit.
“One of the car dealers has agreed to pay back $10 million. The other is being audited, and we expect a few more millions,” Browne wrote. “This contrasts with the hundreds of millions stolen under the UPP administration with no prospect of recovery.”
The repayment comes amid a widening investigation into one of the most high-profile corruption controversies in recent years. The scandal, which has already triggered the resignation of Comptroller of Customs Raju Boddu and several departmental transfers, revolves around the alleged misuse of duty-free concessions and the improper sale and transfer of government vehicles.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly vowed to recover every cent of public funds lost in the scheme, emphasizing that his administration is committed to transparency and accountability.
While Harney Motors’ repayment marks a significant breakthrough in restitution efforts, questions remain about the full extent of the losses and whether additional government officials or private entities will face disciplinary or legal action.
The government has yet to release a detailed statement outlining the terms of the $10 million settlement or the expected timeline for additional recoveries.
$10 million????? What a joke!!!! If one of the bandits is prepared to repay $10m, then it’s more than likely that the true restitution should be AT LEAST TEN TIMES that amount. Mr. PM, with all due respect, Sir, this is NOT money stolen from your personal coffers. It’s taxpayers’ money! I don’t think Antiguans and Barbudans will accept this “handshake” among friends. We need an INDEPENDENT AUDIT asap!!!
I agree with you.
Too easy. Something sounds fishy here.
This is TOTALLY Bad and Unprofessional journalism on the part of this portal just to gain readership.
The PM Never said or eluded to any dealership and based from your source, WHO COULD VERY WELL BE WRONG OR MISLED you are TARNISHING THE NAME AND REPUTATION OF A LONGSTANDING Car dealership who has contributed to the growth of Antigua and Barbuda and not just private entities.
DISAPPOINTING!!!
Well PM said is harney or hrdeed. So ignore of them. Lol 😆 antigua too sweet. And who say is not the PM maybe tell tell is Harney? This is Antigua where everybody have friends in high places. Remember this. We waiting to hear about the Black Hadeed. So journalist please continue to do your job and tell us the truth. We don’t need any smoke screens
Hopefully the Antiguan public realize it’s more than money, when criminals are quick to settle it’s because the rabbit hole goes a lot deeper than the public realize.
How can Harney Motor agree to pay back $10 million? Did he receive the vehicles back? Money cannot refunded unless the items or products is being returned in good condition. Is who Gaston is trying to fool?
Moth open tory jump out and money start talk. Way to go PM
These guys tossing around millions when all I want is 400 to pay my APUA ridiculous bill? Life is so unfair in this sweet paradise
Sipping my tea and eating crackers. What a thing!!! How we end up with that amount when is 38 vehicles taken back? These vehicles have diamonds in them oh wa
If Harney Motors has indeed agreed to repay $10 million, that’s a major admission that something went wrong, whether intentional or not. But people will want to see the terms of this so-called restitution deal. Was it a settlement to avoid prosecution? Were officials complicit? Will there be accountability for public servants who enabled the transactions?
PM Browne deserves credit for moving to recover the money that’s more than we’ve seen in past scandals but transparency must continue. The public needs to know who signed off, how much was actually lost, and whether justice stops at repayment or extends to legal consequences.
Antiguans are watching closely. Repaying $10 million doesn’t erase the breach of trust it’s just the beginning of restoring it.
Well that is something else in this country.. why would anyone pay anything if they are not liable? Loom how gaston just get 10 million dollars from Harney. Lol
This smells like a quiet settlement to keep bigger names out of trouble.
One down three to go. Good work PM Browne. You getting back government money