AG: Fraud Squad probes Dhansook affair

ATTORNEY-GENERAL John Jeremie yesterday revealed that the Fraud Squad has in fact investigated bribery allegations made by PNM councillor Dansam Dhansook against Minister of Energy, Eric Williams, and former minister of works, Franklin Khan. His disclosure to the House of Representatives came in response to Opposition charges that he had sent the matter only to the Integrity Commission. Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar, earlier in a motion on the adjournment of the House, asked why Jeremie had not also sent the allegations to the Fraud Squad of the Police Service and the Anti-Corruption Bureau of his Ministry.

Persad-Bissessar said: “Under Act 11 of 1987, bribe-giving and bribe-taking are crimes under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, not just matters for the Integrity Commission.” To make her point she said the penalty for such offences was a fine of $500,000, imprisonment of ten years, and debarment from holding public office. “These are serious criminal offences.” Persad-Bissessar said other authorities, apart from the Integrity Commission, had the proper resources to investigate. But in reply, Jeremie said the Fraud Squad had actually been involved in the investigations. He said that when he referred the allegations to the Integrity Commission, he believed their investigation would be done by Fraud Squad head, Senior Supt Wellington Virgil.

Jeremie said the Anti Corruption Bureau did not need to investigate because its remit was only transnational crime. He contrasted his actions in this matter to a lack of action by the former UNC government which he said had led to  the death of former Mayaro/Rio Claro councillor, Hansraj Sumairsingh. Despite Sumairsingh asking for police protection, said Jeremie, then prime minister, Basdeo Panday, and then attorney-general, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had done nothing, and now his blood was on their hands. Jeremie concluded: “The Prime Minister and the Government he leads are committed to the highest principles of integrity. The Attorney-General has acted in accordance with due process and the law of the land.”