Susan Rodrigues, the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, has issued a pointed letter addressing allegations made against her by Azruddin Mohamed, a political party leader currently facing serious charges in the United States, including money laundering and fraud.
In her letter to the editor, Rodrigues stated that she has cooperated fully and transparently in response to what she described as “false and malicious allegations” stemming from Mohamed’s indictment and links to organized crime, including ties to the Russian mafia and Hezbollah, as reported by Reuters.
Rodrigues emphasized that she provided personal financial information and documentary evidence of a mortgage to demonstrate the lawful acquisition of her assets. She noted her commitment to accountability, drawing a parallel between herself and GHK Lall, with whom she shares a devout Catholic faith. Despite her efforts, she criticized Demerara Waves for allowing Lall a platform to repeat unsubstantiated claims against her and other government officials.
In her letter, Rodrigues urged the media outlet to hold Lall to the same standards of scrutiny and accountability that she has faced. She presented several allegations and questions concerning Lall, including:
Long-standing allegations of paedophilia that he has not addressed publicly.
Claims of corruption during his tenure at the Guyana Gold Board, particularly regarding a dubious gold export license.
A public dispute over the contents of a dossier on gold smuggling in Guyana, which Lall claimed excluded the names of Mohamed and his father—a claim refuted by former Minister Raphael Trotman.
Allegations that Lall is a part-owner of Demerara Waves’ News Talk Radio, questioning the source of his financing.
Inconsistencies regarding his qualifications as an attorney-at-law, with no verifiable public record of his legal education or admission to the Bar.
His self-identification as a “Wall Street analyst” despite a lack of verifiable employment history at notable Wall Street firms.
“I welcome scrutiny. I have provided evidence. I stand by my record,” Rodrigues stated in her letter, rejecting what she termed “selective outrage” and the one-sided reporting of defamatory claims while ignoring serious questions about Lall.
She concluded by urging Demerara Waves to uphold its commitment to truth and accountability and to apply these principles fairly and consistently across all parties involved. Rodrigues expressed hope that her letter would be published in full and with the same prominence given to Lall’s allegations.
