States police detectives say they are ‘actively investigating’ alleged offences and a man ‘in his 40s’ is helping them with their inquiries. The man, who has not been named, has not been arrested or charged with any offence.
A person guilty of such a crime under the Public Finances (Jersey) Law can face up to ten years in prison and be given an unspecified fine.
Last month, it emerged that former Assistant Chief Minister Senator Philip Ozouf had spent almost £53,000 on a States credit card in three years – £11,454 of which he later refunded. Some of the Senator’s spending related to ‘personal items’ such as a haircut, a new pair of glasses, an iPad and a new jacket. The revelation caused the Chief Minister to call for a ministerial code on travel and expenses be drawn up.
The Senator released a full breakdown of his expenses in an attempt to show he has nothing to hide and to clear his name. He has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
The JEP has not been able to contact Senator Ozouf for comment.
The newspaper is aware that a complaint about the use of a States purchase card, also known as a corporate credit card, has been made to the States police about Senator Ozouf in the wake of revelations about his expenses. The police would not comment on whether he is the subject of the investigation.
According to the Public Finances (Jersey) Law, a person is guilty of misusing public finances if they ‘secure for himself or herself, or for any other person…the improper payment of money by the States or the improper use of any money or other resources of the States.’
In a short statement the States police said: ‘Police are actively investigating a case of alleged unlawful spending of public finances using a States purchase card – a suspected offence under the Public Finances Jersey Law. A man in his 40s is currently helping police with inquiries.’
The Chief Minister’s Department was asked if the investigation related to Senator Ozouf but a spokeswoman said they could ‘not comment at this time’.
She added: ‘We are assisting the police with their inquiries.’
