Tuesday, May 15, 2012

HCU probe hears about Harry's spending sprees

Harry Harnarine's $5 million travel expenses paid by the Hindu Credit Union (HCU) included at least one trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, where he stayed at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista.

The former president of the HCU also bought a house in Florida from his brother, Seepersad Harnarine. In 2005 he paid $1.2 million for the property although the HCU never approved the purchase.

This information came from Ernst and Young partner Maria Daniel during testimony at the HCU enquiry. 

Daniel also testified that Harnarine’s sister submitted bills meant to cover her brother’s expenses for his Florida trip to the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. She said accountants were not sure of his sister's role.

Harnarine's lawyer argued that the invoices submitted to the HCU did not disclose that Harnarine had gone to Disney World. “There is no suggestion on the receipt that there was any going to Walt Disney,” he said.

The bills submitted in relation to the Disney trip included about $35,000 in expenses, however the full extent of the travel expenses remains unclear to date due to the lack of supporting evidence, Daniel said. 

She also said in a report prepared in 2008 that the HCU reimbursed $988,310 ito Harnarine’s sister, some of which related to travel and to the sale of the Florida house.

The HCU had 28 subsidiaries, including three travel companies: Trans World Travel (1995) Limited (which was deemed insolvent when it lost its IATA designation and had $5.2 million in liabilities); HCU World Travel Ltd (profitable) and Jovi’s Island Park Company Limited (non-operating).

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai