Three months after she was sanctioned by the US Government and later sent on administrative leave by the Guyana Government, it has been revealed that Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas continues to receive her full salary and benefits.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday confirmed that the sanctioned Permanent Secretary is still receiving full pay.

Thomas was sanctioned by the US Government for allegedly being involved in a bribery scheme that the US said involved The Mohamed family. The Mohameds were also sanctioned for allegedly evading takes and being involved in gold smuggling. They have denied the claims.

Thomas was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 2023, when she was stopped and grilled by US authorities after arriving in the US while on her way to China.

She was handcuffed and her mobile phone was seized by the US authorities. Her US visa was also revoked, and it was reported that she was questioned about her ties to the Mohamed family and corruption allegations were leveled against her during the hours of questioning by US authorities.

The sanctions from the US Treasury Department were handed down in June this year. At the time, she was serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour.

The Guyana Government has written to the US seeking more information on the sanctions against both Thomas and The Mohameds, but that information has not yet been made available to the Government.

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