Ish, Steve want $76M from state, but no money paid

Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson

The Express newspaper reported on Sunday that businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson are asking the state to pay them more than $76 million based on a decision by Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh to quash the Attorney General's decision to extradite both men to the United States to face a series of corruption charges.

The judged ruled in November last year against the AG and ordered the state to pay costs.

The Express said Ferguson wants more than $69 million; Galbaransingh's claim is about $7 million, the paper said, citing the Statement of Costs submitted by the men. The paper said it made a formal application to the Registrar to get the information. 

However, no costs have been paid to date. The Express quoted Solicitor General Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell as saying that Attorney General Ramlogan did not agree with the claims submitted.

She told the paper “what has been claimed is not what has or will be awarded”, adding that a court would have to make the final decision on paying the costs. She also explained that the claims of Galbaransingh and Ferguson would have to considered along with the state's claim of $15 million against the men.

The paper said it spoke with Ramlogan who confirmed that no money was paid. "The claims were over grossly exaggerated and over-inflated. It is incredible that they would have paid those figures in legal fees for judicial review in the High Court. In the State’s experience, that figure is astronomical and without precedence,” the Express quoted the AG as saying.

"Not one red cent will be paid to these defendants under my watch because taxpayers have expended millions of dollars in defence of the State," he told the paper.

"It is clear that there is a smear campaign against me but I am very comfortable with my conduct with these matters. It is above board and can withstand public scrutiny. 

"People seem to forget that I was the one who ordered their extradition to the U.S. and objected to bail being granted as a result of which they were incarcerated for many months for the first time in the history of the endless legal battles against the State,” he added.