The office of the Attorney General has responded to a Trinidad Express story that said the state has terminated the contracts of legal teams in six separate jurisdictions investigating allegations relating to the CL matter because of the mounting financial burden.
A media release issued by policy and media adviser Rebecca Robinson said the report was not accurate.
"In fact, the office of the Attorney General has been and remains in close contact with the principal legal advisers on the Clico investigation. Mr Edward Davis Jr, for example, whose services were allegedly terminated, is presently in Trinidad and Tobago at the request of the AG to further the work of his US-based firm, Astigarraga Davis.
"Likewise, the Central Authority Unit of the Ministry of the Attorney General (MOAG) has been in contact with Mr James Lewis, QC, of the United Kingdom. Mr Ramlogan has also been in regular contact with Forensic Specialist, Mr Robert Lindquist.
"Upon assuming office, the local team of lawyers comprising SC Douglas Mendes, Frederick Gilkes, Michael Quamina and Stewart Young offered to return their briefs in this matter and the offers were accepted by the AG.
"This decision was necessary after a critical review was undertaken with a view to determining the nature of and necessity for the work done by the local team and the overall cost implications.
"The AG is confident that the legal officers at the MOAG can adequately deal with this matter in conjunction with the foreign assistance and advice that continues to guide this investigation.
"In so far as legal advice and representation is necessary in other jurisdictions this will continue as and when necessary but the suggestion that 'legal teams' in various counties were simultaneously and continuously working on the investigation is incorrect.
"Such expertise is normally sought on an ad hoc basis as and when required to assist the principal advisers in this matter. The AG has given no instructions for terminating the services of any foreign advisers in this matter to date.
"There is no further need for a local legal team that would duplicate the efforts of the foreign advisers and add to the financial burden presently experienced on the Ministry's budget.
"There are more experienced and senior attorneys resident in the Ministry that can respond to any challenge at this time. There was need to streamline the efforts of the various state agencies involved in the CLICO investigation and ensure that the state gets the best legal value for its dollar, lest the candle cost more than the funeral in this matter."
A media release issued by policy and media adviser Rebecca Robinson said the report was not accurate.
"In fact, the office of the Attorney General has been and remains in close contact with the principal legal advisers on the Clico investigation. Mr Edward Davis Jr, for example, whose services were allegedly terminated, is presently in Trinidad and Tobago at the request of the AG to further the work of his US-based firm, Astigarraga Davis.
"Likewise, the Central Authority Unit of the Ministry of the Attorney General (MOAG) has been in contact with Mr James Lewis, QC, of the United Kingdom. Mr Ramlogan has also been in regular contact with Forensic Specialist, Mr Robert Lindquist.
"Upon assuming office, the local team of lawyers comprising SC Douglas Mendes, Frederick Gilkes, Michael Quamina and Stewart Young offered to return their briefs in this matter and the offers were accepted by the AG.
"This decision was necessary after a critical review was undertaken with a view to determining the nature of and necessity for the work done by the local team and the overall cost implications.
"The AG is confident that the legal officers at the MOAG can adequately deal with this matter in conjunction with the foreign assistance and advice that continues to guide this investigation.
"In so far as legal advice and representation is necessary in other jurisdictions this will continue as and when necessary but the suggestion that 'legal teams' in various counties were simultaneously and continuously working on the investigation is incorrect.
"Such expertise is normally sought on an ad hoc basis as and when required to assist the principal advisers in this matter. The AG has given no instructions for terminating the services of any foreign advisers in this matter to date.
"There is no further need for a local legal team that would duplicate the efforts of the foreign advisers and add to the financial burden presently experienced on the Ministry's budget.
"There are more experienced and senior attorneys resident in the Ministry that can respond to any challenge at this time. There was need to streamline the efforts of the various state agencies involved in the CLICO investigation and ensure that the state gets the best legal value for its dollar, lest the candle cost more than the funeral in this matter."
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