Ellis Burris, (in photo) who was fired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA), has initiated legal action by way of a pre-action protocol letter.

Public Utilities Minister  Robert Le hunt told the Senate, in response to a question from the Opposition that Burris disbursed up to TT$2 million in allowances which was outside his prescribed limit.

“The Chief Executive Officer was advised to proceed on leave in order to facilitate an investigation into the payment of allowances on or around October 10th 2018, outside of his prescribed limit without the approval of the Commissioners of the Board of WASA “Le Hunte told the Upper House on Tuesday afternoon.

“The Board of Commissioners after giving full consideration and on the basis of evidence available to it including the response from the CEO concluded the CEO breached his fiduciary duty to care in failing it obtain the prior approval of the Board further that the CEO failed to follow due process to ensure that the payment was authorized and exceeded his jurisdiction and authority in authorising the payment,” Le Hunte explained.

  “Based on the loss of trust and confidence in the CEO was terminated.

   “He has indicated his intention to bring legal proceedings via a pre-action protocol letter,” the Public Utilities Minister said.