The Ministry of Finance has launched legal action against a former One Bermuda Alliance MP and his landscaping company over allegations of unpaid taxes.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers filed a writ against Jeff Sousa, his Sousa’s Landscape Management Company and his wife, Luan Sousa, the vice-president of the company, on December 10.

The writ, filed on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted Section 32 of the Contributory Pensions Act, which covers civil action to recover sums due under the act, and Section 31 of the Taxes Management Act, which covers the recovery of tax owed.

Mr Sousa declined to comment yesterday and no comment was received by either the Attorney-General’s Chambers or the Ministry of Finance by press time.

Sousa’s Landscape Management was one of 17 companies listed by the Bermuda Health Council in October as having failed to “provide the evidence requested as proof that the employer had effected or continued in force a contract of health insurance”.

Mr Sousa said at the time: “Our company like so many others is feeling the pain of these truly trying times we are all going through.

“We are in the process of putting additional financing in place and I assure you our company’s health insurance is our highest priority.”

Mr Sousa won the Warwick West seat in the OBA's 2012 general election victory, but lost it in 2017 to Dennis Lister III of the Progressive Labour Party.

He stood for the OBA again in the general election last year, but was unsuccessful.

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