Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #3 Representative, Jacob C. Debee II, has admitted the voice in the recording submitted to Plenary.
Nimba County District #5 Lawmaker, Kortor Sehwongbay Kwagrue (KSK) submitted the recording.
Rep. Debee on Tuesday, April 14, appeared before the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration to respond to allegations surrounding the misused of US$200,000 expenditure tied to a legislative visit to the disputed Liberia/Guinea border in Lofa County.
Debee’s appearance followed a formal complaint Kwagrue filed shortly he accused Rep. Debee of making “damaging public claims against the leadership of the House.”
During the hearing, Debee acknowledged that an audio recording Rep. Kwagrue presented, and played before the Committee “resembles my voice.”
He meanwhile, denied ever appearing on Spoon Talk or making allegations that members of the House leadership received US$200,000 in connection with the border’s visit.
However, the proceedings took a dramatic turn when the Committee Chair, James Kolleh, placed a live phone call to Spoon Talk host. Stanton Witherspoon confirmed that Rep. Debee had indeed phone-in to the program and made statements now under investigation.
The matter, which began as a routine legislative inquiry, intensified as conflicting accounts emerged between Debee’s testimony, and evidence presented before the Committee.
The probe was initiated following Plenary’s mandate to the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration to investigate the allegations, and report back during the ongoing extraordinary session.
At the center of the investigation are claims of “financial impropriety,” which, if found to be false or misleading, could have significant implications for Debee.
An update from the Committee’s Co-Chair, Alexander Poure, assured that the Committee will prepare its report to Plenary in line with the mandate.
The House said, it remains committed to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity.