War of words at Piarco Inquiry

Defence attorney Frank Solomon SC, who was warned by Mc Nicolls not to “badger” State witness Raimundo Lima Levi, became irate when Special State prosecutor Gilbert Peterson SC suggested he (Solomon) “sit down.”

Solomon, who was offended by the prosecutor’s comment, made it clear he was not “prepared to accept any gratuitous rudeness by anyone” at this stage in his career.

“I don’t need this,” he said, “I don’t need to take this type of abuse from Peterson, or any other Tobagonian.”

Peterson abruptly got to his feet, reminded Solomon that it was “Mr Peterson” and publicly declared how proud he was to be Tobagonian.

Turning to the magistrate, Solomon continued to complain that Peterson’s comment had insulted him, adding that the proceedings went smoothly whenever the prosecutor was absent.

“Did he not insult me? You tell me, sir,” Solomon directed at Mc Nicolls, who responded, “I didn’t hear that, sir.”

Levi, a forensic accountant residing in Florida, is giving evidence in the inquiry at the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court, where eight persons and three companies are before Mc Nicolls charged with a total of 21 offences relating to the new Piarco Airport Terminal development project.

They include former government ministers Brian Kuei Tung and Russell Huggins, CEO of Northern Construction Limited (NCL) Ish Galbaransingh, CEO of Maritime General Insurance Company John Henry Smith, Maritime Group of Companies chairman Steve Ferguson, company secretary Barbara Gomes, businesswoman Renee Pierre and Fidelity Insurance and Leasing Company Ltd.

Hearing resumes today.