No need to probe Montano

Alkins said the Commission wrote Montano, seeking additional information which he had originally omitted. The Registrar said Montano replied and included information that he had interests in 12 different corporations. As far as Alkins was concerned, there was no need for further investigation in the matter.

Under cross-examination by lead defence attorney Allan Newman QC, Alkins said the Integrity Commission filed a construction case in the High Court last year in which the Commission wanted the court to determine who are the persons in public life who have to file declarations.

He said a number of persons had written to the Commission saying they did not think they had to file declarations.

He said persons were saying they did not need to file because they were members of State Enterprises, not fully owned by the Government.

Newman asked whether the names he gave to Alkins worked in the State Enterprises fully owned by the Government. But Alkins was unable to say if Government fully owned First Citizens Holdings Ltd, MTS, TIDCO, the Business Development Company and Plipdeco.

Lead Prosecutor Sir Timothy Cassel QC then asked, “what prompted you to write to Danny Montano?”

Alkins replied, “there was certain information on form A which needed to be on form B. He declared the information in form A, but did not do so in form B. I noticed the discrepancy and asked him to fill in the blanks, which he did. That was the same thing with John Jeremie,” Alkins added.

Alkins said people continue to contact the Integrity Commission, saying they did not have to file declarations. Because of this, the Commission published notices asking people to file their declarations in accordance with the Act. The notices were also published in daily newspapers.

He said the Commission started publishing the names of persons who did not file, in the Gazette and daily newspapers.

He said after the Commission filed the construction case, it published the names of persons who were in categories and who were persons in public life.

Alkins said no steps were taken to investigate those persons as the Commission awaits a ruling from the High Court. “If the court rules that these persons are persons in public life, the Integrity Commission will notify those persons to file their declarations. If they refuse to do so, the names will be published in the newspapers.”