Cassel: 6 more charges coming

SIX more charges are to be laid by Monday against the 13 public officials and private business persons and five companies arising out of the investigations into the billion dollar Piarco Airport Development Project. This was revealed yesterday by special prosecutor, British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel, when the case was called before Senior Magistrate Ejenny Espinet in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Cassel also asked that the preliminary inquiry be put off to September. Cassel, who is leading the prosecution’s team, said he drafted the charges in September 2004 and was surprised that the charges had not been laid and served on the defendants.

“The charges have not yet been preferred, I don’t know why, it is a disappointment to me. They were not preferred. The original charge of conspiracy is broken down in various charges. I am sorry they have not been preferred as yet,” Cassel told the court. The issue of the fresh charges was raised by the magistrate after one defence counsel Rajiv Persad expressed concern about the delay in bringing the new charges. Vernon De Lima, who is representing three defendant companies, responded, “it was alarming that my learned friend can talk about new charges. We don’t know what the new charges are.

The last time we were before you, we were told that these new charges were being brought by the other side.” De Lima wanted to know when the preliminary inquiry against the defendants would begin. “September? Which year? 2006, or 2007 as Mr Petersen has now said.” He said the defendants have their businesses and their families to see about. What about their future?” he asked. De Lima said the defence had not been made a party to these new charges. “I hear that the old charges are going to be dropped eventually.

What is happening to these poor people sitting down there? When are we going to hear about these new charges? Pick a date. Dismiss these charges and when they are serious about it, we will come back.” De Lima called on the magistrate to send the defendants home to their families. Magistrate Espinet said the court could not wait indefinitely for the new charges. She said there were other issues in the case and suggested that it be put to April 1, notwithstanding that people in this country take All Fools Day seriously.