Integrity Commission Probing Government Minister

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – The Integrity Commission says it has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption made against a government minister during the campaign for the July 29 by-election in Chaguanas West.

In a brief statement, the Commission said that the allegation had been made by Austin “Jack” Warner, the former national security minister.

It said Warner on July 23 had made statements alleging that a government minister had, “since becoming a minister acquired six houses, one of which was received from a contractor in exchange for that contractor receiving a $36 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) contract”.

The Commission said it was also alleged that “a minister of government allegedly received a house from a businessman in exchange for the businessman having some of his properties rented by the minister’s ministry.”

The Commission did not name the minister but Minister of the People, Dr. Glenn Ramadharsingh, who had immediately denied Warner’s accusation, told reporters that he was still proceeding with the lawsuit against his former cabinet colleague.

He said he had spoken to his lawyers “and I understand that the courts are on some recess so that the date of the action becomes only active when the courts reopen. But I continue to be advised and we are preparing to go full steam ahead”.

Warner, who had shown pictures to support his allegation, has already said he is not afraid of the threat to sue him.

In its statement, the Integrity Commission said it was investigating the matter in accordance with Section 33 (a) of the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA) which allows it “on its own initiative, consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct by persons in public life.

“The commission intends to inform the public from time to time, when it has decided to carry out investigations on its own initiative,” the statement added.