United States Names Dorothy Bradley as “Anticorruption Champion”
In 2016, her office exposed numerous irregularities and corrupt practices within Government departments, including at the Belize Sports Council and within the Ministry of Sports as well as other illegalities within the Government. This included the sale of Belizean passports, visas, and granting of Belizean citizenship to foreign nationals. Special reports released by her office also resulted in a former Minister of Sports being recalled from his diplomatic assignment abroad at the time the irregularities surfaced. Now, Belize’s retiring Auditor General, Dorothy Bradley, has received the prestigious U.S. State Department’s Anticorruption Champions Award. Bradley was one of twelve people honored by the U.S. in a virtual ceremony held by the Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
She is Belize’s first female Auditor General, and has served in that capacity for ten years. Now, Dorothy Bradley is the recipient of the U.S. State Department’s Anti-corruption Champions Award as she heads into retirement. It’s a distinction she accepted today, denouncing corruption and commending the people who fight against it.
Dorothy Bradley
Dorothy Bradley, Retiring Auditor General
“Corruption results in unjust enrichment that benefits its perpetrators. It can occur on both a local and an international scale. Our collective work has demonstrated the need for government agents to work without fear or favor because it inspires conscientious, courageous champions for justice around the world. Corruption can be defined as the orchestrated robbery of the poor which necessitates immediate action in our countries.”
Bradley highlighted the relevance of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC.
Dorothy Bradley
“The Convention provides an instrument for effective action and cooperation against transnational organized crime and the streamlining of institutional and legislative frameworks.”
The U.S. Embassy, in a press release, stated that the U.S State Department introduced the Anti-corruption Champions Award to honor people who have displayed leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combating corruption. Coincidentally, it was bestowed on the eve of International Anti-corruption Day. Marion Ali for News Five.
Bradley issued a farewell statement a few days ago in connection with her retirement from public office. In it, she said in part, quote: “The legacy I leave behind as your first female Auditor General, can be found in the work our office produced. I can say I was emboldened to always do my work, without fear or favor, since I know my duty is under the Constitution and the people of Belize, unquote. Prior to her appointment as Auditor General, Bradley held a number of senior offices within the public service.
