MONROVIA – Serious allegations have emerged from inside one of Liberia’s most consequential public institutions. Whistleblowers at the Bureau of State Enterprises have formally accused Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance Joseph Boye Cooper of abuse of authority, financial irregularities, and workplace intimidation. The complaints, addressed to Director General Theodore J.S.B. Momo Jr., allege a pattern of misconduct touching procurement, staff rights, and witness tampering. Nearly US$181,761 in expenditures reportedly lacks proper documentation. Cooper’s academic qualifications are also being questioned against the statutory requirements of the incoming State Enterprises Authority of Liberia. The allegations have not been independently verified, and Cooper had not responded at press time. THE ANALYST reports,
Serious allegations of administrative misconduct, favoritism, abuse of authority, workplace intimidation, and possible financial irregularities have emerged at the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE) following a formal complaint filed by whistleblowers against Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance Joseph Boye Cooper. The complaint, supported by information provided by other sources familiar with the institution’s operations, accuses Cooper of engaging in a pattern of conduct that has allegedly undermined employee morale, weakened internal controls, disrupted operations, and compromised transparency within the institution.
The several communications, addressed to BSE Director General Theodore J.S.B. Momo Jr., call for an independent investigation into Cooper’s conduct and seek protection against possible retaliation for those raising concerns.
Questions Raised About Internal Investigations
Director General Momo has constituted several investigating committee panels to probe allegations of abuse of power, intimidation, corruption, witness tampering, and gross disregard for the procurement process in financial cases involving Cooper. According to the whistleblowers, the findings from these investigations should serve as a clear warning to the Government of Liberia that Cooper is creating serious dysfunction within the BSE. The whistleblowers allege that Cooper is currently not on speaking terms with close to 35 members of BSE staff, and that his conduct has damaged the professional standing of Director General Momo, who is described as deeply uncomfortable with Cooper’s behavior toward staff.
The complaint additionally alleges that Cooper has become the subject of several employee grievances. According to the whistleblower, multiple complaints involving staff intimidation, disrespectful conduct, and violations of workers’ rights have already been filed and are awaiting action by Director General Momo. Other sources within the institution similarly claim that concerns regarding employee relations and workplace conduct have become increasingly common. Although the exact number of pending investigations could not be independently verified, the complaint alleges that concerns about Cooper’s conduct have generated significant internal tension.
According to the whistleblower, Cooper intends to contest for the seat of representative in Electoral District No. 8, Montserrado County, and is using his current position to amass enough money to facilitate his campaign before the 2028 National Elections Commission deadline for presidential appointees to step aside if they intend to contest the 2029 elective positions.
Favoritism and Selective Justice at BSE
Under Cooper’s administration as Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance, the whistleblowers allege widespread favoritism targeting five specific departments: Procurement, Maintenance, Logistics, Media, and Information Technology. According to the complaint, Cooper intends to remove the heads of all these departments by means of blackmail, replacing them with individuals loyal to him in order to facilitate corrupt practices within the institution. The whistleblower further alleges that Cooper has already received letters of application for these positions and is waiting for the right moment to act.
Concerns Over Procurement and Financial Oversight
The complaint also raises questions regarding procurement processes and financial accountability at the Bureau. The whistleblower alleges that nearly US$181,761 in procurement-related expenditures was utilized without proper supporting documentation under Cooper’s administration of financial and administrative affairs. While no independent verification of the allegation has been made, the complaint calls for a comprehensive audit and administrative review of procurement transactions undertaken during the period in question.
The whistleblower further claims that established financial review procedures have occasionally been bypassed, with some financial and contractual documents allegedly processed without undergoing normal scrutiny. According to the complaint, such practices could weaken internal controls and expose the institution to financial and administrative risks.
Allegations of Workplace Harassment
At the center of the complaint are allegations that Cooper has repeatedly abused his administrative authority by intimidating staff members, restricting access to office facilities, and creating what employees describe as a hostile working environment. According to the whistleblowers, Cooper confiscated keys to a shared office used by several employees, effectively limiting access to their workspace without consultation or due process. Sources familiar with the matter claim staff members have frequently been forced to wait outside offices or rely on employees from other departments to gain access to workstations and equipment.
The complaints further allege that employees have, on multiple occasions, been unable to perform their duties because access to offices remained under Cooper’s direct control. The whistleblowers further accuse Cooper of creating operational inefficiencies by maintaining exclusive control over office keys. According to the whistleblowers and other sources, Cooper’s management style has created fear among employees, particularly those who express opinions that differ from his own. The complainants allege that employees who challenge certain administrative decisions often become targets of hostility, intimidation, or exclusion from opportunities within the institution.
Alleged Favoritism in Training and Travel
A major component of the complaints centers on allegations of favoritism in the allocation of training opportunities, workshops, and official travel. According to the whistleblowers, career civil servants have repeatedly been denied opportunities for professional development while contractors and individuals allegedly close to Cooper continue to benefit from workshops, educational programs, and foreign training opportunities. The complaint specifically alleges that contractors were selected for international training programs, including trips to Nigeria, despite the availability of qualified Civil Service Agency employees.
The whistleblower further alleges that several of the beneficiaries are relatives or close associates of Cooper and that substantial daily subsistence allowances have been distributed to favored individuals. Sources familiar with the matter claim that concerns over the distribution of training opportunities have become a recurring source of dissatisfaction among employees, many of whom believe such opportunities should be awarded based on merit rather than personal relationships. The whistleblower alleges that questioning the directive resulted in harassment and humiliation, and that such incidents reflect a broader pattern of hostility toward employees perceived as challenging management decisions.
Allegations of Witness Intimidation
Among the most serious accusations contained in the complaint are claims that Cooper attempted to influence testimony in internal investigations. The whistleblower alleges that employees were instructed to support allegations against other staff members and warned of possible consequences if they failed to cooperate. The complaint further claims that pressure was exerted on employees to provide testimony against colleagues in internal disputes.
According to the whistleblower, resistance to such requests often resulted in strained relations with management. Sources familiar with the matter claim these allegations have fueled concerns about fairness and impartiality in internal disciplinary and investigative processes.
Concerns Over BSE’s Transition to SEAL
The complaint also touches on the ongoing transformation of the BSE into the proposed State Enterprises Authority of Liberia (SEAL). According to the whistleblower, employees have been informed that existing staff may be required to reapply for their positions during the transition process. Cooper also reportedly told staff that top management at the SEAL level will retain the right to suspend and dismiss any staff member deemed unfit, because SEAL will be an autonomous entity not answerable to the Civil Service Agency (CSA).
The complainant alleges that some employees fear the exercise could be used to remove long-serving personnel and replace them with individuals favored by the current administration, with particular concerns raised regarding the Procurement, Logistics, Maintenance, Media, and Information Technology departments. The complaint argues that transparency, fairness, and merit should guide any restructuring process.
Questions Over Cooper’s Qualifications
In another controversial claim, the whistleblower questions Cooper’s qualifications for the position of Deputy Director General for Administration and Finance. According to the complaint, Cooper’s academic background is in Sociology and Public Health, while he is currently pursuing studies in Business Administration. The whistleblower argues that the position requires specialized expertise in Accounting, Finance, or Information Technology.
The complaint calls for a review of whether statutory requirements would be fully satisfied if Cooper is reappointed or retained as the entity transitions from BSE to SEAL in August 2026. According to Section 3.4 of the SEAL Act, the Deputy Director for Administration must be a citizen of Liberia and must have earned at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology. The holder must also have no fewer than 10 years of professional working experience, with a minimum of five years in a mid-level managerial position. The whistleblower contends that Cooper, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Public Health, does not meet these statutory requirements.
Call for Independent Investigation
Concluding the complaint, the whistleblower calls for a comprehensive and independent administrative review into Cooper’s conduct. According to the complaint and supporting sources, the issues raised extend beyond personal grievances and point to broader concerns regarding accountability, transparency, employee welfare, procurement practices, and institutional governance at the BSE. The complaint states that the allegations reflect what the whistleblower describes as a pattern of administrative misconduct, disregard for due process, and potential abuse of authority.
The allegations have now placed the spotlight on internal administrative practices at the BSE and are expected to attract attention from management, employees, and public sector oversight institutions. Efforts to obtain a response from Cooper regarding the allegations were not immediately successful. The allegations above have not been independently verified.
All efforts to get Mr. Cooper side of the story proved fruitless up to press time.