Allegation of Extortion involving Cllr. Findley Y. Karngar, Chairman of the Office of the Ombudsman

Transparency And Accountability Ombudsman

Case Details

Case Number: 0000

Start Date: N/A

Forms of Corruption: Extortion

Level of Government: National

Financial Impact

Amount Identified (USD): $2,130.00

Amount Identified (LRD): $0.00

Funds Recovered

USD Recovered: $0.00

LRD Recovered: $0.00

Documents

Ombudsman Download File

Nature of Case

Case Summary

The Frontpage Africa newspaper in its Vol.19 No.041, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 edition reported that an independent investigative panel has recommended the immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of Cllr. Finley Y. Karngar, Chairman of the Office of the Ombudsman. The newspaper reveals that the findings from the independent investigative panel point out that in 2025 Cllr Findley extorted more than U$2,000 from his Special Assistant Mr. Francis D. Cooper in the period of four months. According to Frontpage Africa, the report was signed by Commissioners Amonia Martin and Lamii Kpargoi, along with Dr. C. Aaron Weah of the Ducor Institute for Social and Economic Research. Additionally, the paper stated that the report details the chairman alledgelly demanded 50 percent of Cooper’s monthly salary-U$500 between April and July, 2025. The paper also reveals an additional payment of U$30-35 monthly for phone scratch cards were also allegedly extorted from the Special Assistance. Frontpage Africa states that the allegations were substantiated by secret audio recordings, text messages, mobile money transactions records, and sworn testimony from six staff members of the ombudsman office. The paper further reveals that the panel determined that on October 31, 2025, “Cooper’s” dismissal officially attributed to poor performance and dishonesty-was “pretextual” and directly linked to his refusal to continue making the alleged illicit payments.”