Reported by: Siafa Jallah

IPNews-Monrovia: Members of the Liberian Senate have expressed mixed views on the United States Department of Treasury-Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), bribery and corruption allegations against Grand Cape Mount County Senator H. Varney G. Sherman.

The United States recently placed a sanctions Senator Sherman , who is currently the Chairman of the Senate Statutory Committee on Judiciary.

The multiple accusations many believe places a dark cloud on the Liberian Senate, the Judiciary and the government in totality.

Immediately after the US action, Senator Sherman, owner of the Sherman & Sherman Law Firm, submitted a ten-page communication to the Liberian Senate, denying OFAC allegations of bribery and corruption.

On December 9, 2020, in recognition of the International Anti- Corruption Day, the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed economic and financial sanctions on Cllr Sherman for allegations of bribery of multiple judges associated with his 2010 bribery scheme, in which he was declared not guilty verdict in July 2019.

Following, mix views on the matter during Tuesday’s Session, the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Albert T. Chie said Plenary, the Highest Decision Making Body have resolved that their Colleague continues to enjoy the confidence of the Senate and remain as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee until he is accorded due process by his accuser.

According to Pro-Temp Chie, due process is needed, nothing, this is not about protecting a colleague.
“ Any Liberian can write the Senate, it is our role to ensure that the process of due process is accorded any Liberian who feels that his or her right is violated.

At the end of Thursday’s debate, Plenary resolved that leadership do further consultations by engaging the United States Government through its Embassy near Monrovia for further understanding of the issues relative to their Colleague.