Piarco Corruption Inquiry - US witness gets ‘all clear’ to testify

Mc Nicolls overruled objections of the defence that Levi was not qualified to give evidence, as he was a member of the investigating team headed by Bob Lindquist, which began a probe in 2000, regarding the construction of the $1.6 billion airport project.

The Chief Magistrate added, “the fact that an expert witness was part of an investigating team, cannot exclude him from giving evidence. I find this witness’ evidence to be admissible. I therefore reject submissions of the defence.”

Mc Nicolls’ decision was made before a packed bar table. It is very rare for all leading members of the defence team to be present at the inquiry, but yesterday, Russell Martineau SC, Allan Alexander SC, Fyard Hosein SC, Reginald Armour SC, Frank Solomon SC, and Vernon De Lima were all present.

There was an addition to the defence team at the bar table yesterday, although he took no part in the proceedings. English Queen’s Counsel Edward Fitzgerald sat in the front row with the defence lawyers. He is in Trinidad to assist in another important case and returns to London tonight.

Fitzgerald is well-known, having appeared in numerous cases on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago litigants before the Privy Council. He was the lead counsel for Trinidadian killer Charles Matthew in that historic death penalty case in the Privy Council in 2004, when nine Law Lords sat for the first time in an appeal. In that case, the Law Lords, by a 5-4 majority, ruled that the death sentence was constitutional.

After Mc Nicolls’ ruling, Levi was called to the witness stand. When hearing ended after midday, Levi had not gotten into the meat of his evidence. He was still telling the court about himself, his qualifications and what his job entails.

Levi was led in evidence by lead prosecutor Edward Jenkins QC. Levi lives in Coral Gables, Florida and is a certified accountant, certified forensic accountant and a certified valuation analyst in the United States.

He holds a BSc with emphasis in accounting, a Masters in Taxation and a Masters in Accountancy. He worked in a bank for six years before moving on to Arthur Anderson and Company. In 1991, he formed a company called Lopez-Levi and Associates with a colleague who worked with Coopers and Lybrand.

He is now the managing partner in his firm. Levi will continue his evidence when hearing resumes this morning. The case will then be adjourned to April 25, due to the unavailability of the American witness and lead prosecutor.