Leader of the watchdog group Fixin’ T&T, Kirk Waithe, will today deliver a letter to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, requesting that a police investigation be launched to determine whether any person(s) had broken money laundering laws in this country as it relates to the Proceeds of Crime Act.
In a release yesterday, Waithe said in light of the claims being made by former national security minister Jack Warner that he funded the political campaign of the People’s Partnership in the run-up to the 2010 general election, it was necessary to ascertain what and if any crimes were committed.
Among the situations he is suggesting be probed, is the PP’s campaign in the run-up to the 2010 general election and the campaign in the run-up to the Tobago House of Assembly elections in 2013; the Independent Liberal Party’s campaign in the run-up to the Chaguanas West by-election of 2013; the ILP’s campaign in the run-up to the Local Government elections of 2013; and if monies were allegedly paid to Ross Advertising in respect of the aforementioned campaigns.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly said that she never received any money from Warner to fund party campaigns. However, Warner has countered these claims by indicating that he has provided at least fours attorneys with evidence that will link Fifa to the PP’s campaign finances. (See page A9)
Waithe said Persad-Bissessar, against the advice and insistence of many, appointed Warner as a government minister and member of her Cabinet; appointed Warner to act as T&T’s prime minister on numerous occasions; elevated Warner to National Security Minister and the National Security Council after the alleged cash for votes debacle at the Hyatt Regency Hotel; and led a political party and a freshly formed coalition that, it is alleged, knowingly and willingly accepted and used possibly ill-gotten monies from Warner in spite of the many and serious allegations that plagued him for many years.
Noting that they were saddened and extremely angered by the damage done to this country’s reputation by Warner’s claims, Waithe said as long as Persad-Bissessar and Warner remained as members of parliament the damage was “irreparable.” As a result, the group is also demanding the two permanently retire from public office.