The Trinidad Express newspaper reported Saturday that the Integrity Commission has confirmed that it is investigating the chairperson of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT), Jearlean John.
However it said John informed the paper in a telephone conversation that she has not been advised that any investigation is taking place involving her.
The express said the Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Eric St Cyr, confirmed the investigation, quoting him as saying, "The matter has only recently come to us so it's being investigated." It also said St Cyr did not give details of the probe and was unable to say if John had been notified.
The paper said it contacted John in England by telephone who stated that she did not know what allegations were being levelled against her. The Express said it has to do with a possible conflict of interest.
The express said the Chairman of the Integrity Commission, Eric St Cyr, confirmed the investigation, quoting him as saying, "The matter has only recently come to us so it's being investigated." It also said St Cyr did not give details of the probe and was unable to say if John had been notified.
The paper said it contacted John in England by telephone who stated that she did not know what allegations were being levelled against her. The Express said it has to do with a possible conflict of interest.
It said John said four months ago she wrote to the Integrity Commission and informed the Commission that she has a daughter who is an attorney.
"My daughter has never had a contract with UDeCOTT and will never have one. I wrote to the Commission advising them this is my daughter because of the work that she does, there has been no conflict of interest whatsoever," said John.
The paper said John noted that certain people at UDeCOTT and extremely uncomfortable because "it is not business as usual". It said John alleged that there is a conspiracy between some members of UDeCOTT and a man who is trying to tarnish her reputation.
The Express said John was clear that she has not received a letter or phone call from the Commission informing her that she was being probed.
"How long does it take to write a letter to me or to UDeCOTT or to make a phone call to say I am being investigated? I have to learn from the press that I under investigation? Is this the manner by which the Integrity Commission operates?" the Express quoted John as asking.
The line minister for UDeCOTT, Roodal Moonilal, confirmed to the paper that the man in question is the subject of a criminal investigation involving harassment, threats and fraud. "He was a rejected job applicant by UDeCOTT, this is tabanca," Moonilal said.
He also expressed satisfaction with the work that UDeCOTT is doing. "UDeCOTT finished the new Parliament in record time, within budget and went for the first time in ten years for opening public tendering and used not one but three contractors. Of which your Minister knows none, I have no "sarobhai" (brother-in-law) as contractor," he added.
"My daughter has never had a contract with UDeCOTT and will never have one. I wrote to the Commission advising them this is my daughter because of the work that she does, there has been no conflict of interest whatsoever," said John.
The paper said John noted that certain people at UDeCOTT and extremely uncomfortable because "it is not business as usual". It said John alleged that there is a conspiracy between some members of UDeCOTT and a man who is trying to tarnish her reputation.
The Express said John was clear that she has not received a letter or phone call from the Commission informing her that she was being probed.
"How long does it take to write a letter to me or to UDeCOTT or to make a phone call to say I am being investigated? I have to learn from the press that I under investigation? Is this the manner by which the Integrity Commission operates?" the Express quoted John as asking.
The line minister for UDeCOTT, Roodal Moonilal, confirmed to the paper that the man in question is the subject of a criminal investigation involving harassment, threats and fraud. "He was a rejected job applicant by UDeCOTT, this is tabanca," Moonilal said.
He also expressed satisfaction with the work that UDeCOTT is doing. "UDeCOTT finished the new Parliament in record time, within budget and went for the first time in ten years for opening public tendering and used not one but three contractors. Of which your Minister knows none, I have no "sarobhai" (brother-in-law) as contractor," he added.
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