Monday, November 7, 2011

Report: Hart probe hits snag. AG willing to do what's needed on matter

The Express newspaper reported Monday that the investigation into perjury charges against former executive chairman of Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT) Calder Hart has "hit a snag".

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is on record as saying that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard has enough evidence to charge Hart.

However Gaspard doesn't agree. The Express reported that Gaspard has said the lead investigator in the probe wants to get additional information from Malaysia to build a stronger case.

Under the Mutual Legal Assistance treaty it is the Office of the Attorney General that communicates with Malaysian authorities.

The Expresse quoted Gaspard on the matter. "In looking at the allegation of perjury against Calder Hart, the police investigation necessitates their seeking to get information from abroad, which necessitated the police and my office engaging, through mutual legal assistance, the Office of the Attorney General," he said.

"I am paying close attention to that investigation. There are several things to look at arising out of the report of the Uff Commission, but the police would have begun to focus on the perjury allegations. That is the prime focus," he said.

"If you have to make enquiries from Malaysia, I cannot do it. The police cannot do it. It has to be state to state," Gaspard said.

However Ramlogan has told the Express his office "has done all that it can in relation to requests for assistance from the police regarding this investigation."

He added that it "stands willing to go beyond the call of duty if needed, as this investigation is important and long overdue."

The Express also reported that it questioned Gaspard on the investigation into the collapse of the CL Financial Group and its former chairman, Lawrence Duprey.

It said Gaspard stated that all he has on his desk are the findings from the Central Bank-led investigation and a report from Canadian forensic investigator Bob Lindquist.

"The previous government was seemingly caught between pursuing the matter civilly and criminally," Gaspard said. He said the document sent to him "was receiving the attention of a Queen's Counsel".

The Express quoted Ramlogan as saying that the Central Bank is the "entity conducting investigations into the CLICO fiasco".

Ramlogan said, "The Governor of the Central Bank and I have discussed the progress and status of this matter. He has indicated that the Bank has submitted the investigative report to the DPP with whom I have discussed this matter."

He added that "the DPP and a senior legal adviser of international repute" are examining the Clico file.

"They will determine whether there is evidence of criminal conduct that can justify charges being laid. I am happy with the status of this matter and the progress which has been made to date," Ramlogan said.

"I have asked Commissioner Gibbs to prepare a status report on a number of outstanding criminal investigations; UDeCOTT is among them," Ramlogan said.

"I have suggested that a high-powered team be appointed to assist the ACIB in this matter, as I am not happy with the pace and progress of this investigation," he added.

"The perjury matter is also outstanding because I am advised that the police investigations are not yet complete.

"I find this unsatisfactory and will be raising this with Mr Gibbs as well," Ramlogan said.

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai