Government is setting up an independent assessment of financial controls in the Civil Service in the wake of a series of fraud scandals, Finance Minister Paula Cox revealed yesterday.

She said an independent auditor will review electronic payment processes and controls and make recommendations to improve security.

Clayton Busby, a clerk in the Accountant General?s Office, was jailed for three months in April for stealing $159,493.

Another employee in the same department has been charged in connection with the theft of $1.9 million last month. And an Immigration officer was suspended last month following allegations that cash has gone missing.

Ms Cox told MPs: ?An independent consultant auditor has has been engaged to examine electronic payment processes and their controls, and to make recommendations for remediation of any deficiencies that are found.

?The vast majority of our civil servants are honest and have high integrity. Many of them stepped forward to assist the apprehension of the perpetrators.

?Financial impropriety is a distasteful and reprehensible matter that can have a devastating effect on an organisation.

?I am reminded of the African proverb: ?One falsehood spoils a thousands truths?.

?However, I wish it to be known that where civil servants are seen to behave improperly, that this does not reflect on the moral and ethical standing of the Civil Service that comprises of 1,7000 public officers.?

One individual was caught when the internal control system of the Accountant General?s office noticed a financial irregularity. Action from top officers from that department, the Ministry of Finance, Police and the Department of Public Prosecutions led to a swift arrest.

The independent auditor will begin the investigation on Monday and a report is expected by the end of the month. Ms Cox said she expected to release at least an executive summary of the findings.

?This action is not a political quick fix. Government is committed to making sure that robust internal controls are rigorously monitored for compliance. Accordingly, Government will consider the recommendations of the independent consultant auditor as a matter of priority.?

In the immediate wake of the arrests and charges Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons called for an internal investigation into internal procedures for handling money transactions in the Civil Service.