Court rules against former UTT board, orders payment of $10.9M

A court has dismissed an application by former members of the board of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and ordered that the defendants pay $10.9 million to UTT.

UTT took action against the former board led by Professor Ken Julien based on a forensic audit ordered by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan following allegations of gross misconduct and financial irregularities with respect to decisions made by the previous board.

The board instituted proceedings against Julien, Dr. Rene Monteil, Giselle Marfleet, Scott Hilton-Clarke and Errol Pilgrim, who asked the court to strike out the claims against them.

However Justice Vasheist Kokaram ruled that there was "an arguable claim of breach of fiduciary duties which has caused a loss to UTT" and stated that UTT's claim against the former board members was neither "speculative nor fanciful". In dismissing the application by the defendants the court ordered that they pay costs to UTT.  

The compensation claim of $10.9 million included $2.85M in lost rent during the period 01st February 2006 to 31st October 2010 and $1.48M annual operating costs, together with a capital expenditure of $1.02M.

In a media release UTT said, "This judgement vindicates the decision of the Board to hold investigations and commence proceedings against the former members of the UTT Board of Governors."