Magistrate blanks Gangar

Attorney Rajiv Persad who is representing former Government minister Finbar Gangar in his Integrity Commission matter, yesterday had his request for a longer adjournment refused by a Port-of-Spain magistrate. Gangar is before Magistrate Ejenny Espinet in the Port-of-Spain First Court on two charges of failing to declare six bank accounts to the Integrity Commission. Persad asked Espinet for an adjournment of three months, saying he and other attorneys representing Gangar needed time in which to prepare submissions they intended to present to the court. Persad’s request also included that the State be given three weeks in which to respond to their intended submissions.

“Don’t you think it is a bit advantageous for you to make that type of request?” the magistrate asked. Responding to the magistrate’s concerns, Persad explained that his submission would most likely include matters such as the laying of the charges, the disclosure of a summary of the prosecution’s case, and would also include information pertaining to the statements of some of the witnesses. After the attorney’s explanation, State attorney Sabrina Dougdeen told the defence attorney that the State did not intend to disclose all of its witness’ statements. She agreed, however, to forward copies of certain statements agreed to by both sides, but not the ones over which there was contention. The matter was then adjourned to June 2.