Deputy Police Commissioner, Gilbert Reyes, has confirmed that police have already started an investigation into the controversial church at Guanapo Arima."All I could say at this time is that an investigation has started...and that is it for now," Reyes told the Trinidad Express.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reported the matter to police while she was opposition leader and provided documents alleging former prime minister Patrick Manning was involved in the church and that UDeCOTT and its former executive chairman Calder Hart were also involved.
That has been corroborated by the architect for the project, Stephen Mendes.
The paper cites a police source as saying that investigators would interview and take statements about his role in the project. Police are also expected to talk with Mendes and Manning’s spiritual adviser, Rev Juliana Pena.
The Integrity Commission is already investigation the church affair to determine where Manning has been in breach of the Integrity in Public Life laws.
Commission Chairman Eric St Cyr said Monday the commission is giving the matter top priority.
On Monday Attorney General Anand Ramlogan complained that the commission was dragging its feet on the matter.
"The matter is being investigated... There are lots of things on our plate. This one is urgent. We are very much aware that people would like things determined soonest and we agreed with that and we are working towards that," St Cyr said.
He added that "new information came into the press over the weekend" in reference to the statement by architect Stephen Mendes that connected Manning directly to the church.
Mendes said the term "PM" in correspondence relating to the church meant Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
No comments:
Post a Comment