Investigations into Hart, Guanapo church still ongoing: DPP Gaspard

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard gave reporters an update on Saturday on several investigations of “high public sensitivity and importance.”

These included the controversial construction of the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church at the Heights of Guanapo, believed to be linked to former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

“The police investigation into the Heights of Guanapo Church is continuing,” Gaspard said at a media conference. he said he met with Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs a month ago at which time Gibbs told him the police need more time for the investigation.

Gaspard said also spoke about the investigation of former executive chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of TT (UDeCOTT) Calder Hart, who is no longer in Trinidad and Tobago. Hart is under investigation for perjury arising out of the Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector and UDeCOTT.
 
Gaspard said Gibbs and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Anti-Crime Operations) Harold Phillip told him that the perjury investigation is getting "top" priority.

“When we spoke about a month ago, they had requested about eight weeks for the Calder Hart perjury allegations. With respect to the Guanapo Church, there was no time frame,” Gaspard said.

He also pointed out to the media that the Office of the DPP does not have an investigative capability. He said despite that “we still have to hit the ground running because many of these matters are matters of high public importance."

The DPP added, “But while the resources at the office are severely challenged, one could hardly rely on that fact by way of a cushion in terms of the delivery of justice or the expediting of certain matters.”