Ex-cop denies ‘moonlighting’ charge

A FORMER member of the Anti-Corruption Investiga-tions Bureau (ACIB) yesterday denied that he ‘moonlighted’ while a member of the Police Service. Under cross-examination, ex-Constable Evans Small admitted that he took up a job as manager of investigations at Scotia Bank Limited in November 2003, although he resigned from the Police Service in 2004. Attorney Devesh Maharaj asked, “Do you know what is moonlighting?”

SMALL: Yes, I know what moonlighting is; I was not moonlighting. Small, who spent 16 years in the Police Service, took the witness stand earlier than expected. Cpl Joanne Archie, who was due to be further cross-examined yesterday, failed to turn up. Lead prosecutor Gilbert Peterson SC informed Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls that Archie reported ill and had gone to Medical Associates in St Joseph for attention. Peterson said that in light of Archie’s absence he was going to call another witness. Frank Solomon SC, one of the defence attorneys interjected, “I hope Corporal Archie returns to the best of health. I hope it wasn’t anything which Mr De Lima said to her yesterday.

DE LIMA: Not me, sir, it was Miss Lucky. Small was the next witness called by Peterson.  He was a member of the ACIB, which conducted investigations into the Piarco Airport Terminal Development Project. During his testimony, Small tendered five documents including a cheque. Under cross-examination, the issue of pocket diaries arose again. On the previous occasion, Cpl Archie was questioned at length about her missing pocket diaries. Yesterday, it was the turn of the former policeman. Before answering questions, Small took a considerable length of time before giving his answers. This caused Devesh Maharaj to complain to the Chief Magistrate about the long periods of silence. Peterson responded, “The witness must think.”

The Chief Magistrate then asked, “Is there a delay in answering the question?” SMALL: I am watching how they (lawyers) are writing. When questioned about his pocket diaries, Small said he left them at the Bureau when he left the Police Service. He also stated that he interacted with the foreign experts brought to Trinidad to work with the Bureau on the investigations. He named Bob Lindquist, Hans Marshdorf and Rodney Stamler.  He also remembered two others known as Javier and Will. He said there were no female foreign experts. Small will be further cross-examined when hearing resumes this morning. During yesterday’s hearing, at least 30 police recruits arrived and listened to the evidence. Meanwhile, eight station diaries belonging to the ACIB were brought to court yesterday as promised. The defence had requested the diaries. Defence attorneys began perusing the diaries in court, but according to Allan Alexander SC, the courtroom was not a convenient place. He asked the prosecution to find a more suitable venue for the viewing of the diaries.

It was eventually agreed that the lawyers will look at the diaries in the courtroom every day until 5 pm. Gillian Lucky, another defence attorney, also asked for the diaries of the sentry on duty at the ACIB to be produced for the perusal of the lawyers. Peterson agreed. Eight persons and three companies are charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new Terminal Development Project at Piarco Airport. They are Brian Kuei Tung and Russell Huggins, former government ministers; Ish Galbaransingh, CEO of Northern Construction Limited (NCL); Amrith Maharaj, financial comptroller of NCL; John Henry Smith, CEO of Maritime General Insurance Company; Steve Ferguson, chairman of Martime Group of Companies; Barbara Gomes, company secretary; businesswoman Renee Pierre; Maritime General Insurance Company; NCL; and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Limited.