Lindquist paid $21M so far for probing corruption

With several charges preferred, but not one conviction thus far, forensic accountant Bob Lindquist has been paid a total of TT$21 million to date by the Trinidad and Tobago taxpayer, for his investigations into corruption. This includes all the monies paid by five different administrations — one NAR, two UNC and two PNM. The lion’s share has been paid by the PNM administrations (2002-2003 and 2003 to present), which has greatly expanded the scope and mandate of  Lindquist’s enquiry. In 2002, Lindquist received approximately TT$4.2 million, while in 2003 he received about TT$15 million.

During the UNC tenure, Lindquist was paid approximately $1.6 million, and during the NAR tenure he was paid a total of Can$700,000 (at the then rate of exchange). As Attorney General John Jeremie gave the breakdown of Lindquist’s invoices in the 2003 period, there were “ooohs” from the Opposition bench in the Senate yesterday. Jeremie was replying to a question from UNC’s Sadiq Baksh. With invoices during this year sometimes totalling as much as US$250,000 in a single month, Jeremie explained, somewhat defensively: “Mr Lindquist has been busy.” “Oh very, very busy indeed! Ripping off the country!” Minority Leader Wade Mark finished.

Clearly in an effort to blunt the criticisms that are expected to come the Government’s way, Jeremie concluded his response by stressing that he had every reason to believe that there “shall be successful results” of Lindquist’s various probes, which are continuing. Lindquist first came to this country’s attention 16 years ago, when he was brought in by the late Selwyn Richardson to investigate John O’Halloran. His second period of engagement started in September 2000, when he was brought in by the UNC Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj to investigate the airport contract. The PNM administrations broadened his assignment to include investigations into a number of  contracts negotiated under the UNC government.

In disclosing information on the two companies owned by Lindquist, Jeremie revealed that Lindquist Forensic and Partners Inc was incorporated in June 27, 2000 in the US, while Citigate Global and Intelligence Security was incorporated on December 19, 2001, in the US, mere months before Lindquist’s second and most lucrative period of engagement by the Government of this country. Asked by UNC Senator Robin Montano whether there had been any successful prosecution as a result of any of Lindquist investigations, Jeremie said Lindquist had an “impeccable record for producing results.” He said Lindquist was able to recover US$7 million as a result of his work during 1988 and 1990. Jeremie added that charges had been laid (in the airport matter) and this work was still continuing. The breakdown of the invoices, which were read by Jeremie and which caused Mark to comment, that “This is a rich man,” is as follows:

In 2000: September 27 to 31 — TT $450,989.50; November 1 to 15— $TT 393,825.70; November 16 to 24 — TT$332,265,70; November 24 to December 1 — $333, 547.20. In the year 2001, there was a sharp reduction in the number and amounts paid to Lindquist. During this period,  the souring of the relationship between Maharaj and the then PM Basdeo Panday led to the Anti-Corruption Unit being taken away from the AG and placed under the Office of the Prime Minister.

In this year, there were only four payments. January — US $9,497; February to July — US$1,300; US$5,216.00; September to December — US $3,987. But by January 2002, with the PNM Government in office, spending on corruption probes peaked. January — US$78,966; February 1 to 15 — US $19,996; February 16 to 28 — $86,536; March 1 to 15 — US$39,296; March 16 — 31— US$ 92,478; April 1 to 15- US $66,456; April 16 to 30 — US$101,014; May 1 to 15 — US$29,132; May 1 to 31 — $17,339; May 16 to 31- US$101,493; June 1 to 13 — US$26,168; June 1 to 15 — US$16,611; June 16 to 31 — US$ 24,739; October to November US$20,042.

The disbursements become even larger in 2003. December 2 to January 3 — US$44,388; February — US$56,460 and US$11,842.00; March — US$64,462; US$ 57,307; April — US$148,026 and for other investigations in the same month US$8,647, US$73,809; in May for three different investigations — US$82,033, $50,579.00 and $103,194; June — US$64,104, $93,111, $49,825; July — US $64,022.10 and $12,044; August — US$51,100, $86,048; September US$56,516 and $65,600; in October — US$137,653 and $82,199.

Jeremie pointed out that the last payment given in the breakdown — of US $53,690 in November — was the only one for which he could take direct responsibility. “But of course, corruption is a serious business and this Government takes responsibility with respect to all of the payments.