Retired High Court Judge Justice David Harris will lead a team set up to investigate the understatement of revenue for the financial year 2023 and related matters.

The Finance Ministry says the composition of the team was approved by the Cabinet today.

The Investigation Team will also include David C. Benjamin – a former Audit Director at the Auditor General’s Department, and specialists in Information Technology.

According to the Ministry, the Terms of Reference of the Investigation will include:

• What circumstances led to the Understatement of Revenue in the public accounts for the financial year 2023 and what should be done to avoid a recurrence of same
• The efficacy of the new Electronic Cheque Clearing System introduced by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago in February 2023
• The efforts made by the officials at the Ministry of Finance and its various Divisions to correct the Understatement of Revenue, and to advise the Auditor General of the Understatement and provide her with an explanation, clarification and further information on same
• What was the response of the Auditor General to the efforts of the public officials described at (c) above and what action was taken by the Auditor General in relation to the Understatement of Revenue in the audit of the Public Accounts for financial year 2023
• What are the facts in relation to the allegations and statements made by the Auditor General in her Report on the Public Accounts of Trinidad and Tobago for the Financial Year 2023, including the Addendum and Appendices, with specific reference to the Understatement of Revenue in the public accounts for the financial year 2023
• Any other related matters; and g. Findings and Recommendations going forward

The Team will be requested to report to the Finance Minister within two months.