Commerce Inspector General Dorr Cooper has not been dismissed

Claim: A renowned media platform, “SPOON TV LIVE,” is reporting that Commerce Inspector Dorr Cooper has been dismissed amid an explosive degree of fraud in which he was involved.

Verdict: False! Dorr Cooper remains the Commerce Inspector General. A government official says the president will not be pressured into dismissing him.

Full Text

A media platform, “SPOON TV LIVE,” claimed that Commerce Inspector Dorr Cooper was dismissed.

“Commerce Inspector Dorr Cooper dismissed Amid Explosive Degree Fraud Scandal,” the station said.

The post by the media platform generated 498 likes, 505 comments, and 95 shares.

Another online platform, “SAPA TV Liberia,” claimed in a post that the Commerce Inspector General was dismissed.

Liberia’s Commerce Inspector General, Dorr Cooper, colluded with some staff at the University of Liberia to obtain academic credentials. The University has since dismissed eight employees who helped the Commerce Inspector General in the academic fraud.

Since the misconduct was detected, there have been claims and counterclaims about whether he has been dismissed as the Commerce Inspector.

DUBAWA decided to verify the claim to combat misinformation in Liberia.

Verification

The researcher first contacted “SPOON TV LIVE” to provide detailed evidence about Dorr Cooper’s dismissal, but they refused to respond to our many inquiries.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the researcher sighted a statement suggesting Dorr Cooper was still at post. The National Civil Society Council of Liberia called on President Joseph Boakai to take drastic action against Mr Cooper over his academic fraud.

“The facts are there. Dorr Cooper was accused of academic fraud, and his degree was revoked. The UL launched an investigation into this and found that several of its staff were involved in several of these acts, so what is the President still waiting for? The President must take action now,” said the Council.

When journalists followed up with an official of the ruling Unity Party, George Lobbo, over whether Dorr Cooper would be sacked, Lobbo said  President Joseph Boakai would not be pressured into dismissing Dorr Cooper.

Also, Anderson Miamen, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), waded into the debate by chiding President Joseph Boakai for failing to dismiss Dorr Cooper.   

In addition, as reported by SPOON TV, the Executive Mansion has not published or issued an official statement about  Dorr Cooper’s suspension or dismissal.

Conclusion

With no official statement from the Executive Mansion on Dorr Cooper’s dismissal and the latest call from the National Civil Society Council of Liberia for drastic action against the Commerce Inspector General, SPOON TV LIBERIA’s claim is false.