MPs hear of Lindquist’s fees

Government pays US$340 per hour for every senior director employed with Bob Lindquist’s company; US$240 per hour for every director and US$190 per hour for senior associates in the firm(s) owned by the forensic accountant when they are engaged in carrying out  investigations in Trinidad and Tobago for the Government. This was revealed by Attorney General John Jeremie in response to a question filed by UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh. The AG revealed that Lindquist got a slight hike in his hourly rates under the PNM administration. Prior to February 2003, Lindquist received US$325.55 per hour; a director US$250 per hour; a manager US$200 per hour and an associate of the firm US$50 per hour. But Lindquist’s letter of retention dated February 2003, saw an increase in the hourly rates.

The AG said the 4.6 percent was added for inflation, but he could not say whether it was indexed to Canadian prices or the Trinidad and Tobago’s prices. Jeremie also did not know whether Lindquist paid taxes in Trinidad and Tobago. In all arrangements both under UNC and PNM, Lindquist  was also paid a retainer of US $20,000 for every engagement. Additionally he is paid separately for the “work product,” Jeremie stated. The AG could not give a cumulative figure for the cost to the taxpayer of the engagement with the Canadian-based accountant. Jeremie stated that Lindquist was engaged to carry out investigations in Trinidad and Tobago by Joseph Theodore, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj and Glenda Morean between the period September 2000 and August 2003. In response to a question, Jeremie said his understanding was that Lindquist had talent and expertise which was not available in Trinidad and Tobago. He said however Government had sought to have Lindquist’s talent transferred to nationals in its employ, including members of the Anti-Crime Squad. Lindquist’s letters of engagement were  September 27, 2000; August 2, 2001; August 2, 2002; April 10, 2003 and August 27, 2003.