NDC spikes claims nominee for AMA CEO has criminal record

Accra, April 17, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday dismissed claims that Mr. Alfred Vanderpuije, the President's nominee for the post of Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, has a criminal record.

It said the claims were generated by an audit report of South Carolina Capital Schools in 2004, where he worked as principal of the School, which wrongfully indicted him for embezzlement but he was subsequently exonerated by a South Carolina County Court.

"In view of the Charges levelled against Mr Vanderpuije, the Court did not only dismiss the charges, but also instructed that all records relating to the offence levelled against Mr Vanderpuije be expunged and destroyed according to the applicable section of the South Carolina Code of Laws," the statement signed by Mr Richard Quashigah, Regional Communications/Propaganda Secretary said.

"The Court also instructed that no evidence of such records pertain to such charges shall be retained by any Municipal County or State agency except for non public information."

The NDC said it was therefore "preposterous and mischievous" for some people "to resurrect a matter that has been put to rest only with the purpose of denting the reputation of a noble and hard working man". It said Mr Vanderpuije, apart from being the Principal of the William Perry Middle School in South Carolina between year 2000 and 2005, was also Coordinator for Student Exchange Programme to Africa. While he was away in Africa with the US Students on an exchange Programme in 2004, his School was audited and it was noticed that an amount of $4,460 was spent on a Students' Exchange Programme in Africa and this was considered a breach in the disbursement of funds because, according to the auditor, the money was only allowed to be spent in the United States only.

"Subsequently, Mr. Vanderpuije reimbursed the funds in question when his justification for spending the funds on the students outside the US was not taken.

"Based on the misplaced January 2005 audit report charges, the South Carolina Department of Education withdrew Mr Vanderpuije's certificate as an educator in the USA, which was quickly restored when the embezzlement charges against him were dismissed by the South Carolina Circuit Court on the grounds that the case lacked merit." The NDC said it was therefore not true that Mr Vanderpuije was rusticated by the US Government.

"In fact he is a man who, as at today, is held in high esteem in the US for his honesty, humility and tenacious dedication to his work," the statement said.