by Bobby Addison
MONROVIA – The Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) officially informs the public of the dismissal of Officers Isaiah M. Gray and George Cooper, effective immediately, following the conclusion of a rigorous internal investigation.
The Investigation and Findings
The decision was reached after a comprehensive inquiry into allegations of fraud, forgery, and the falsification of official documents—specifically Resident Permit Cards. During the proceedings, the accused officers provided voluntary verbal statements regarding their roles in the scheme.
The investigation was initiated by the LIS Administration and conducted by a Special Investigative Team under the leadership of the Director of the Professional Standards Division (PSD). The team’s findings established sufficient grounds to warrant the immediate dismissal of both officers from the Service.
Disciplinary Action for Misconduct
In a related development, the LIS has announced the suspension of Officer Mark A. Sheriff for a period of two months without pay. This disciplinary action stems from his involvement with individuals who criminally misappropriated funds intended for resident permit processing. As this constitutes a second reported offense for Officer Sheriff, the administration has applied stricter sanctions.
Legal Framework and Public Safety
These enforcement actions were taken in strict accordance with the LIS Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Regulations (2016):
- Section 8.1(a): Addresses criminal misconduct, abuse of authority, corruption, bribery, forgery, and falsification of records.
- Section 15.0: Outlines the specific disciplinary measures and sanctions applicable to such breaches.
The Liberia Immigration Service strongly cautions the public against conducting any business with the aforementioned individuals. The LIS will not be held liable for any transactions involving these dismissed officers; any such engagement is entirely at the individual’s own risk.
Commitment to Integrity
The LIS remains firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Any conduct that undermines public trust or violates the laws governing the Service will be met with zero tolerance.
The administration assures the public that it will continue to strengthen internal control mechanisms to prevent future occurrences and ensure the sanctity of Liberia’s immigration processes.