Fraud charges for 2 Israelis

This was revealed by State attorney Nizam Khan to Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

But it was not said in the presence of Karamath or his lawyers. By the time Khan turned up in court, the case had already been adjourned to June 14.

In the absence of the accused and his lawyers, Khan told the court that instead of Karamath being tried separately, he would now be charged jointly with two foreigners (Israelis). This, he said, would be done shortly and a summons would be served on Karamath. Khan said he had no objection to Karamath’s bail of $1 million being continued, despite the laying of the new charge.

It was alleged that between January 1, 1998 and August 25, 1999, in the island of Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere, Karamath conspired together and with other persons to defraud the State of Trinidad and Tobago with a view to gain for himself, by dishonestly arranging a water supply contract to be awarded to a joint venture between Hafeez Karamath Engineering Services Limited and Ionics, known as the Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Desalcott) by the State through the Water and Sewerage Authority, by;

(1) falsely pretending that the said process was open, honest and competitive,

(2) the manipulation of the Desalination Project Committee (the Bid Evaluation Committee) so that the grant of the water supply contract to the said Desalcott was pre-determined.

When the matter was called yesterday, Karamath was represented by Karl Hudson-Phillips QC, Ravi Rajcoomar, and Daryl Allahar. Dr Claude Denbow SC and Om Lalla appeared on behalf of Desalcott.

The police prosecutor, Sgt Roodal Harrilal informed the court that he was awaiting the State attorney because there were new developments in the matter. The complainant, Inspector John Telesford, was present.

The case was stood down to accommodate Khan who was reportedly stuck in traffic. However, the magistrate said she could not wait any longer as she was about to embark on a trial. At 9.50, Lee Kim adjourned the case to June 14. Before leaving, Hudson-Phillips said he wanted to address the issue of the surrender of Karamath’s passport. He said his client has business interests outside Trinidad and may need to travel from time to time.

The magistrate asked if Karamath intends to travel before June 14. Hudson-Phillips replied no. Lee Kim said this issue would be addressed on the next occasion. In obtaining bail last Friday, Karamath was ordered to hand over his passport and to report to the St Joseph Police Station on Thursdays between 2 pm and 6 pm.

Karamath and his lawyers promptly left the court.

State attorney Khan turned up in court at about 10.05 am and approached the magistrate. He said Karamath would soon be charged jointly with the others. Newsday learnt that the other wanted persons, so far, are two Israelis. One lives in Israel and the other is a United States citizen. The Trinidad and Tobago Government may have to take out extradition proceedings to bring one of them back, unless that person voluntarily returns to Port-of-Spain.