Nemencio Acosta charged for stealing from the Crooked Tree Water Board

A public officer attached to the Ministry of Rural Transformation has been arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on allegations of theft involving funds belonging to the Crooked Tree Water Board. Forty-year-old Nemencio Christolobo Acosta of Halls Layout, Corozal Town appeared this afternoon before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison, where he was read a single charge of theft in the sum of fifteen thousand, three hundred and fifteen dollars and fifty cents.  No plea was taken after the prosecution indicated that the matter would proceed by way of indictment in the High Court. Bail was granted in the sum of five thousand dollars plus one surety of the same, which Acosta met later in the evening. As part of his bail conditions, he must report to the Corozal Police Station every Friday and cannot leave the country without the court’s permission. He was also required to clear an outstanding court fine before posting bail.  The charge stems from a complaint made by Crooked Tree Water Board Chairman Paul Eck. Police reports indicate that in 2022 the board sought assistance to obtain water meters for the village system. Eck was reportedly informed that the items could be sourced at a cost of two hundred ninety-three dollars each, and the board subsequently issued two cheques to Acosta, one for $11,137.50 for water meters and another for $4,177.50 for air-release valves.  Investigators say the cheques were handed over with the expectation that the equipment would be purchased and receipts provided. However, according to the report, receipts were never produced despite repeated requests from the board.  More than a year later, the water board received meters and valves through the Ministry of Rural Transformation, but confirmation from ministry officials indicated the meters had actually been donated rather than purchased. The board then reported the matter to police after concluding that funds issued for the purchase could not be accounted for.  Acosta is scheduled to return to court on April 17.