Lawyer wants Gangar charges amalgamated

Magistrate Ejenny Espinet, who is presiding in the Integrity Commission matter involving former government minister Finbar Gangar, will rule on submissions made when the matter comes up again for hearing on September 15. During Friday’s proceedings, Gangar’s attorney Rajiv Persad submitted that the charges faced by his client should be heard together. Gangar is before Espinet in the Port-of-Spain First Court on two charges of failing to declare six bank accounts to the Integrity Commission. According to Gangar’s attorney, although the dates on the charges do not fall on the same day “We are asking the court to at least note the similarities in the matter.”

Persad continued, “There is a very substantial similarity between the two cases although they are a year apart. I feel it is critical that the court take this into account.” However, attorney Dana Seetahal, who is seeking the interest of the State, cited legal authorities seeking to dismiss her colleague’s arguments. “The only way the Magistrate Court can hear matters jointly is if they are related. We submit that even though it might seem that we are inclined to hear both matters together, the fact remains that this simply cannot happen. The charges cannot be heard together since they do not relate to the same matter,” said the attorney. Following the submissions Espinet said she would need time to go through the necessary documents before ruling on the arguments presented. Hearing will resume in September.