Mark: Is the DPP ‘conniving’ with the PNM?

IN the wake of the arrests of several senior officials associated with the UNC, UNC Senator Wade Mark launched an attack on the DPP accusing him of “conniving” with the PNM. The DPP has the responsibility for laying criminal charges. Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday Mark asked: “Is the DPP a PNM card-carrying member?” Mark asked the question in the Senate on Tuesday as he was piloting a motion on the adjournment on the “failure of the Minister of National Security to ensure speedy investigations by the Commissioner of Police into all the circumstances surrounding the La Brea Industrial Development Company (Labidco) Project as directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions since May 2002.”

“When one compares the speed and public manner in which police investigations were conducted into allegations of corruption against UNC officials with the inaction of the police on this Labidco investigation, the inescapable conclusion is that PNM elements in the senior ranks of the police service are protecting the party by not pursuing this matter.  This is being done with the willing connivance of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Is the DPP a PNM card-carrying member?” At this stage Senate President, Dr Linda Baboolal warned Mark that he had to be very careful about his accusations against the DPP. Mark said his information was that volumes of evidence were seized from the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries by “PNM agents disguised as senior police officers in the fraud squad. It has been delayed and stalled to protect the PNM in the same way as the freeing of the Bajan fishermen issue.

“We wish to ask Mr Geoffrey Henderson, the DPP, and the Minister of National Security, about the status of this investigation ordered by the office of the DPP some two years ago. What has the DPP and the police done about this matter to date, involving some top and senior persons occupying very sensitive and critical positions in offices in the present administration?” Saying that the office of the DPP depended on the efficient and independent police to conduct proper criminal investigations, Mark stated that the DPP could not be faithful to his oath to fearlessly discharge his duties without fear or political favour unless he criticised the police when they are protecting political corruption by the PNM.

Mark stated that “senior sources in the fraud squad” had “informed us” that the Government had applied enough political pressure on its supporters and agents in the upper echelons of the police service to stifle this investigation. “Why have the DPP or the Commis-sioner of Police not hired a Mr Bob Lindquist, or somebody resembling him, to assist in these investigations? Is Mr Lindquist, with his bags of millions of TT dollars, a political tool that is used only to persecute UNC politicians?” Mark asked. Mark said the Labidco fiasco destroyed the “finest golf courses” and wasted over $120 million. “They accuse the UNC of corruption, and when they are corrupt and they spend $120 million of taxpayers’ money, Ken Julien, the Prime Minister and Malcolm Jones.”

National Security Minister Martin Joseph stated that investigations were being conducted by members of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau of the Ministry of the Attorney General with the assistance of Robert Lindquist of City Gate Lindquist Incorporated. Joseph added that to date several interviews had been conducted and numerous documents of evidentiary value had been secured.  He said status report on the matter had been submitted to the AG even as investigations continue. He said due to the complex nature of the matter, it was not possible for the Commissioner of Police to provide a date for the completion of the investigations.