By Amos Harris
Mounting allegations of power abuse, intimidation, and unfair labor practices are rocking the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), as several current and dismissed employees accuse Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah of turning the agency into a “witch-hunting ground” marked by fear and favoritism.
Speaking to journalists in Monrovia over the weekend, a group of former employees described their dismissals as “unfair, unjustified, and politically motivated.” They allege that Commissioner Jallah has used his authority to purge staff perceived as disloyal, replacing professionalism with personal and political considerations.
“All the allegations against us were false and misleading,” one dismissed staff member asserted. “Every medical document we submitted was genuine; some of us even paid for our own treatment out of pocket and later sought reimbursement as instructed. Yet, we were dismissed without proper investigation.”
The dismissed employees further alleged that the LRA under Jallah has adopted policies that foster division and fear among staff. One controversial policy reportedly prohibits “two brothers or relatives from working in the same department,” which employees claim is enforced selectively to target certain individuals.
Sources within the LRA also hinted at growing political interference in the agency’s operations. “The place is now full of partisanship,” an insider disclosed. “Some staff members openly boast that they are Unity Party supporters and claim ‘this is our time.’ Those who are not seen as loyal are being sidelined or dismissed.”
In a separate account, the affected employees accused Commissioner Jallah of misleading the public when he told a Ministry of Information press briefing that the dismissals were due to “fake insurance and medical documents.”
They countered that the LRA had no active insurance policy during that period and had instead instructed employees to pay for their own treatments and later seek reimbursement through the Human Resource Division.
“We were simply following the institution’s own directive,” one dismissed staff emphasized. “It’s disheartening that we were accused of fraud when there was no insurance system in place.”
The employees described the current work environment at the LRA as “toxic and fearful,” alleging that Commissioner Jallah has dismissed over 42 employees since assuming office. They say the mass dismissals have left the institution understaffed, overburdening those who remain.
“Employees are not free to express themselves or work comfortably,” another former staff lamented. “The LRA used to be a professional and motivating place to work, but now it feels like everyone is walking on eggshells.”
Attempts to contact Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah for comments on the allegations proved unsuccessful as of press time.
Observers say the growing internal turmoil at the LRA raises deeper questions about leadership accountability, institutional governance, and political interference in one of Liberia’s most critical revenue-generating bodies. Critics warn that if left unchecked, such practices could undermine employee morale, reduce productivity, and erode public trust in the integrity of the country’s tax administration system.