Daily Herald story Anyone else think this guy's story is full of it??

Sounds like the finances of Winair were run out of a cigar box!

Did I read that correctly? $ 41,000 kept in a "cash box"?

Sounds fishy, but innocent until proven guilty.

It sounds like no one even knows how much money was in there, and there were ZERO accounting controls on it.. Amazing.

Amazing that they care less about protecting their tourism such that they change leaders every few months and can't seem to find one that will fix issues. We think Cuba will take a few years, but will put a big dent in SXM's tourist trade.

I agree Carol. Don't know why he would sign a document accepting responsibility. Sounds like he just trying to save himself now.

Agreed, why would one accept responsibility for a criminal act, when according to his own statement, there were several other people with equal access to that box, and NO controls over it?? That's not a 'taking one for the team' territory... No way..

We were to Cuba once. IMHO I don't see Cuba hurting sxm tourism. Like comparing apples to oranges. Different atmosphere.

I've seen this time and again from corporations to nonprofits including churches and fraternal organizations......improper controls on cash. Cash is a temptation that should have controls/ledgers and should always involve two individuals so that any theft requires two to act together. If the company had proper controls it could avoid this.

He sounds as if he knows some accounting and knew it was unmanaged and the temptation got to him and probably others. 10 dollars a day is $3650. Probably had a sandwich at sunset, zee best or karakter.

So in the case of cash, I blame the head of accounting and whoever hired that "accountant", the CEO. They are half or more to blame. iMHO.

While I will agree "proper controls" were very lacking from the way it sounds, I am confused as to what you are trying to convey. Are you implying it is NOT the fault of the person who took the money? I was always taught one is responsible for their OWN actions, temptation or not.

Now they are claiming that he was never appointed, even though the DH has a video of the signing on it's website!! Daily Herald story <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Amazing.

It's national election time ( Sept 26). Mud gets slung. Sound familiar?

Well, yeah, but according to the story in the DH, he admitted that he took the money..

exactly, uncontrolled cash is a temptation that gets far too many very good folks so I equate it to an unlocked Marines foot lockers the boot camp at Parris Island.. You never leave your belongings open to tempt your mates.Two people should always be handling cash and responsible for what is in the drawer/box. And someone should be watching them at the end of the day.

Evidently, the new accountant caught on.

That doesn't absolve this guys wrongdoing, but it does reiterate what he said about poor controls leading to his and others dipping into the win air cookie jar over an extended period of time. They probably didn't have good procedures/records for legitimate outlays from the cash box.

So, the person(s) who took any cash are not really responsible due to temptation and poor controls? What about resisting temptation?

I must be missing something as I always thought any person was responsible for their own actions or lack of their actions.

I have personally known people in the workforce I was in get "set up" when there were indications of theft or other wrongdoing.

I didn't say that. I said that doesn't absolve his wrongdoing if you'll read But any business,Nike Winair, that does not control its accounts especially cash drawers and petty cash should expect it to happen and no one should be surprised. It happens everyday by people of all strata,whether it be 50 cents or larger amounts. They learn to think no one notices. Until it hits $41000. And yes I do think it is a sin to tempt folks. Put a dollar on the street with a post it not with phone number. See how many call. Some will, many won't.

Same thing goes for other uncontrolled pilferable items which cost money. I agree it is a character issue, but many a good character will fall for cash.

Now the story says he was only signing temporary papers.

The story in the paper today says that the Minister still supports the choice, but that he will have to undergo some type of a background check. Not sure whether he will pay it or not.