Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has scoffed at U.S.-sanctioned businessman-turned presidential hopeful, Azruddin Mohamed, who promises to work for free if his bid to become Head of State is successful.
Mohamed told supporters at a West Demerara meeting recently that he cares not for a presidential salary, but will give more charity.
But Jagdeo, in his usual style, railed at Mohamed, calling his promise empty and hypocritical. He reminded that Mohamed stands accused of tax evasion.
According to Jagdeo, Mohamed owes the state approximately $11 billion in unpaid taxes, a sum the Vice President said is staggering when compared to the earnings of a president.
“He hasn’t served a single day in government, yet he’s already collected the equivalent of 275 years of a presidential salary,” Jagdeo told the media.
He further claimed Mohamed amassed his wealth through alleged gold smuggling and tax evasion, even pointing to luxury items like his Lamborghini as symbols of excessive privilege obtained through questionable means. Jagdeo remarked that the taxes dodged on that one vehicle alone exceed what a president would earn in over a decade.
The U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned Mohamed last year over alleged involvement in gold smuggling, fraud, and other illicit transnational activities. Mohamed, however, has consistently denied all allegations.
Jagdeo urged the public to remain vigilant about Mohamed’s “empty talk”.
