An undersecretary was suspended from work here Saturday for allegedly embezzling SR5 million from the government's Haj program. Informed sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the secret investigation committees, which uncovered the scam, included the Control and Investigation Board (CIB) and the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution (BIP). Okaz/Saudi Gazette learnt that the embezzlement took place two years ago. The undersecretary had allegedly signed fake housing contracts for pilgrims in Makkah who came for Haj at the expense of the state. He inflated the accommodation costs for the pilgrims by about 200 percent. For example, the cost of housing for one pilgrim was increased from SR2,500 to SR7,000. He made about SR5 million from the 1,000 pilgrims on the program. The money was used to buy two plots of land for him and his accomplices and were registered in their names. A well-known Tawafa establishment official is also one of the accused. Sources said those involved in this case would face penalties under the Regulation for Combating the Embezzlement of Public Funds and Abuse of Power. Article 13 says that every government employee who embezzles, wastes or wrongfully spends public funds, will be fined an amount not exceeding SR1 million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both. Article 22 says that the money must be recovered from those found guilty. __
