MMPRC corruption report: youth minister denies any wrongdoing
The corruption watchdog publicized a report revealing details of those implicated in the biggest corruption scandal in the country's history
File photo: Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof
Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof, who is included in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)’s list of those implicated in the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history, has denied any wrongdoing.
A report published by the corruption watchdog on Thursday morning reveals that USD 33,000 was deposited to the minister’s personal account through Scores of Flairs (SOF)- the private company linked to former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, and used to launder millions from the state through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC).
Denying any wrongdoing, Minister Mahloof released a statement in the afternoon saying that it was a foreign exchange transaction. While the minister made this claim, RaajjeMV understands that that SOF was not authorized for foreign exchange transactions at the time.
According to his statement, the transaction took place on 31 August 2014. He said that it was done while his family was running a fashion outlet in the capital, The Jeans, and was conducted by his younger brother Ali Mubeen. Mahloof added that the reason the money was deposited to his account was because The Jeans “did not have a dollar account.”
The minister also attached copies of the transaction receipt, as well as letters to and from the ACC, to his tweet.
While the receipt shows that the USD 33,000 was deposited in exchange for MVR 508, 860, the exchange rate is MVR 15.42 without any interests.
Mahloof further asked the Commission to investigate the matter, adding that he will resign immediately if found guilty.
