Former Awqaf Ministry official under investigation over suspected graft

AMMAN — An investigation committee at the Awqaf Ministry has found evidence reportedly implicating a finance official in the manipulation and concealment of receipts and cheques at the ministry’s finance department, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted an official source at the ministry as saying Sunday.

The former official retired last year after being referred to the prosecutor general on suspicion of abuse of public funds, the source said, adding that evidence revealed he was involved in the loss of 15 files of receipts of financial proceeds for 2013, 2014 and 2015. The receipts had shown that the official in question had received funds to disburse them as allowances to three imams.

Upon allegedly concealing the documents, the official claimed he did not receive the funds due to a clerical error, and requested compensation. The committee will continue its work until all aspects of the case are disclosed and officials responsible are identified.