PHILIPSBURG: --- The Supervisory Board of GEBE has decided to conduct an investigation on the usage of credit cards given to their management team. The decision was taken after the supervisory board discovered that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Rene Gardener allegedly abused the use of his credit card when he purchased at least five airline tickets for his personal use.
A source within GEBE supervisory board states that just recently Gardener allegedly purchased an airline ticket to travel to the Netherlands just prior to the Easter Holidays, the source said that the trip to the Netherlands had nothing to do with Gardener's job at GEBE. SMN News further understands that Gardener also purchased at least three tickets to travel to the United States. SMN News further understands that Gardener did not get to use the tickets because the board found out prior to Gardener's trip, however, GEBE still lost the monies that were used to purchase the airline tickets.
This is not the first time the CFO got himself into trouble with alleged abuse of his power and GEBE's finances, the last time being when he ordered a brand new vehicle from a dealer for $45,000.00. GEBE's policy states that members of the management team could purchase a vehicle for a maximum of $30,000.00. However, Gardener it is alleged paid off the dealer the first $30,000.00 and made an arrangement with the dealership to pay the other $15,000.00 within a six month period from GEBE accounts. The purchase of the vehicle caused a fracas with GEBE management when the supervisory board made the discovery. Gardener was ordered to pay back the $15,000.00 or face court actions.
Efforts made to reach the chairman of the supervisory board of GEBE proved futile on Wednesday.