Ish & Steve... Piarco Update - State Wins US100M in Miami

[shogun]

Since when did Trinidad became a State for the US?

Trinidad and Tobago Extradition Treaty with the United States
Trinidad and Tobago International Extradition Treaty with the United States

March 4, 1996, Date-Signed

November 29, 1999, Date-In-Force

105TH CONGRESS

1st Session

SENATE

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

THE WHITE HOUSE, July 31, 1997.

To the Senate of the United States:

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, signed at Port of Spain on March 4, 1996.

In addition, I transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State with respect to the Treaty. As the report explains, the Treaty will not require implementing legislation.

The provisions in this Treaty follow generally the form and content of extradition treaties recently concluded by the United States.

This Treaty will, upon entry into force, enhance cooperation between the law enforcement communities of both countries and thereby make a significant contribution to international law enforcement efforts. Upon entry into force, it will supersede the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Great Britain signed at London on December 22, 1931, and made applicable to Trinidad and Tobago upon its entry into force on June 24, 1935, and which the United States and Trinidad and Tobago have continued to apply following Trinidad and Tobago’s independence. That treaty has become outmoded, and the new Treaty will provide significant improvements.

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON.

LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, June 13, 1997.

The PRESIDENT,

The White House.



it's a bilateral treaty, lots of countries have them.

[bigga514]

When fighting injustice wtf $ have to do with it.... Men stole from the country, take their forkin assets and throw they rass in jail. some these same "advocates" of a bligh is the ones quick to say bun down certain areas oui. /rant

[zoom rader]

Since when did Trinidad became a State for the US?

Trinidad and Tobago Extradition Treaty with the United States
Trinidad and Tobago International Extradition Treaty with the United States

March 4, 1996, Date-Signed

November 29, 1999, Date-In-Force

105TH CONGRESS

1st Session

SENATE

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

THE WHITE HOUSE, July 31, 1997.

To the Senate of the United States:

With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, signed at Port of Spain on March 4, 1996.

In addition, I transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State with respect to the Treaty. As the report explains, the Treaty will not require implementing legislation.

The provisions in this Treaty follow generally the form and content of extradition treaties recently concluded by the United States.

This Treaty will, upon entry into force, enhance cooperation between the law enforcement communities of both countries and thereby make a significant contribution to international law enforcement efforts. Upon entry into force, it will supersede the Extradition Treaty between the United States and Great Britain signed at London on December 22, 1931, and made applicable to Trinidad and Tobago upon its entry into force on June 24, 1935, and which the United States and Trinidad and Tobago have continued to apply following Trinidad and Tobago’s independence. That treaty has become outmoded, and the new Treaty will provide significant improvements.

I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON.

LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, June 13, 1997.

The PRESIDENT,

The White House.



it's a bilateral treaty, lots of countries have them.

Yes its a treaty but it still boils down that the US has to respect the Laws and constition of a sovereign state.

[shogun]

Yes its a treaty but it still boils down that the US has to respect the Laws and constition of a sovereign state.

Wasn't debating whether they had to respect it or not, they don't have a choice, do they?

Was simply pointing out how it worked, because of this comment.

Since when did Trinidad became a State for the US?

[eliteauto]

Dee Pee Pee Geoffery Henderson cyar file charges against Calder Hart yet although the Commission of Inquiry did all the wuk for him about 20 months ago.
Allyuh think he go ever file charges against these fcukers for crimes committed in the last century?

In a COI you can say almost anything, for the DPP to charge there must be evidence, two different things

Besides didn't the AG say he was going the route of a civil matter? What is the latest on that? Why did he go civil and not criminal?

[eliteauto]

is THIS why Anand has been so quiet lately?

Piarco airport cases to be dropped
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-09- ... be-dropped

The biggest fraud cases in this country’s history—which saw billions of dollars in taxpayers money allegedly being pumped into the pockets of the United National Congress (UNC) financiers—are expected to be dismissed later this week. The Piarco Airport Development Project scandal has been ongoing for more than ten years and involves several individuals affiliated with the present Government. Two weeks ago, The Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011 was proclaimed by President George Maxwell Richards in a move to end preliminary enquiries in the local courts.





Certain parts of the act will come into effect on January 1, 2013. The President’s proclamation was gazetted on August 30. With the act in effect, the Preliminary Enquiry Act has been replaced and nullifies the need for a preliminary enquiry to be held in relation to matters filed indictably.





However, the act bears a controversial clause—Section 34(2), which states: “On an application by the accused, a Judge shall discharge an accused if the proceedings were instituted prior to the coming into force of this Act and the trial has not commenced within seven years after the proceedings were instituted, except (a) in the case of matters listed in Schedule 6; or (b) where the accused has evaded the process of the Court and the trial on indictment has, for that reason, not commenced.”





It is this clause which will see the accused people in the Piarco Airport project having their matters dismissed. Contacted on the matter, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, said he preferred not to comment, since the matter is before the courts. Several people have been charged in relation to the matter. Among those charged with fraudulent activities arising out of the construction of the airport are two ex-ministers from the UNC administration.





The accused—former finance minister Brian Kuei-Tung; former Works minister Sadiq Baksh; former chairmen of the Airports Authority Tyrone Gopee and Ameer Edoo; former client representative in the Ministry of Works at the airport project Peter Cateau; financial director Amrith Maharaj; Steve Ferguson, former Maritime Financial Group executively; and Ishwar Galbaransingh, chairman of Northern Construction Ltd; are involved in the Piarco II case.





The men are accused of conspiring between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2001, to obtain contracts and payments totaling $1.6 billion during the construction of the new airport. Another case, labelled Piarco I, is also expected to be discontinued. Those involved in this matter are Kuei Tung; Russell Huggins; Maritime executives John Smith; Ferguson and Barbara Gomes; Galbaransingh and Maharaj; and businesswoman Renee Pierre.





They are accused of conspiring to convert more than $19 million under false pretences from the Airports Authority. Also facing charges are Panday and his wife Oma who were charged with corruptly receiving $250,000 from Galbaransingh and former Minister Carlos John on December 30, 1998, in exchange for allegedly giving Northern Construction, a contract for the Piarco Airport Development Project. Millions spent Millions of dollars have been spent on legal fees and also consultancy fees by the then PNM government to investigate and represent the State in these matters.





A Commission of Enquiry was established into the circumstances surrounding the construction of the Piarco project. Following which the Commissions findings were sent to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. In fact, financial investigative expert Bob Lindquist was retained to conduct a thorough investigation in the matter and several of his findings formed part of the evidence presented to the courts. The Linquist Report found the Airport project was a fraud on the public of T&T and an abuse of public funds.





According to the Lindquist report, the Piarco project began with six contractors and expanded to 13. Linquist investigations discovered instances of fraud—price fixing and bid-rigging, duplication of payment contracts, false invoices, conflict of interest and a host of other irregularities.





Queen’s Counsel and Senior Counsel were also retained by the State to prosecute the matters. Apart from which, numerous applications were filed in the High Court, when decisions made by presiding Magistrate Ejenny Espinet at the Port of Spain Magistrates' Court were not favourable to the accused. Extradition proceedings and the Piarco Inquiry Ironically though, two of the people involved in the Piarco cases— businessmen Galbaransingh and Ferguson based their extradition submissions as having cases pending in the local courts, and as a result ought not be extradited to the United States.





Galbaransingh and Ferguson are wanted in the US on a series of charges arising out of the construction of the Piarco project. Galbaransingh faced 13 charges, among them wire fraud, conspiracy to launder money and engaging in unlawful transactions. Ferguson faced a total of 82 charges, which included wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. The offences are alleged to have occurred in the US, T&T, The Bahamas and elsewhere between September 1,1996 and December 31, 2005.





On November 6, last year, High Court judge Ronnie Boodoosingh ruled that the businessmen should not be extradited to the United States. Boodoosingh, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, delivered a 57-page ruling saying that any move to have Galbaransingh and Ferguson extradited would be “unjust, oppressive and unlawful.” In his ruling, Boodoosingh said the lengthy proceedings against the businessmen have generated much public interest and comment.





The High Court judge said T&T was the correct forum to try the businessmen and quashed the October 9, 2010, decision of Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to sign the order of extradition for both men. Submissions provided by the businessmen through their attorneys contended that this country is the appropriate forum to try them, since the investigation started here in 2000.

[eliteauto]

As preliminary inquiries scrapped
Volney: Blame the State

James Lewis, QC, upset
On December 19 last year, Ramlogan in a media release said he came to the view that “the ends of justice” will be served by foregoing the appeal, and allowing the criminal prosecution currently before the local courts to proceed. Ramlogan said he was basing his decision on the advice given to him by Queen’s Counsel James Lewis. However, sources say the advice provided by Lewis was misinterpreted and not an accurate reflection of the legal advice given.



Sources close to Lewis further say that shortly after Ramlogan’s December 19 announcement (to not appeal the decision of Boodoosingh that the businessmen be tried in T&T, based on the advice of Lewis), correspondence was sent from Lewis to Ramlogan, with Lewis expressing concern about the way his advice was misconstrued.



Sources say Lewis, who has in the past been retained by then attorney general John Jeremie under the PNM administration, was “taken by surprise over the announcement, since the advice given by him was not thoroughly reflected” in the statement issued by Ramlogan on December 19. Attempts to obtain a copy of Lewis’ advice from the Office of the AG were unsuccessful. Sources said due to Lewis being retained by Ramlogan he could not comment on the matter due to attorney-client confidentiality.



During a post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on December 29 last year, Ramlogan maintained that he made his decision based on advice from Lewis. Ramlogan explained that had he challenged Boodoosingh’s order, and Galbaransingh and Ferguson were extradited to the United States to stand trial, it was possible that it would take between eight and ten years for their matter to be heard. He said given that the alleged offences took place over a decade ago, and should an appeal take place, a time frame of three to five years could be added.



Ramlogan said it was based on these issues he chose not to appeal the extradition and his decision “cleared the way for the trial (local) to take place in the quickest possible time frame.”



The AG, Volney responds
Contacted at 9.30 am by telephone yesterday and asked to comment about the implications of the act on the Piarco matters, Ramlogan said he was in Jamaica attending a Caricom seminar. The AG then directed all questions to Justice Minister Herbert Volney. “The best person to speak with is the Justice Minister, since he is the one who piloted the act.” Ramlogan was then reminded by this reporter that the local charges against the businessmen were his reasons for not contesting their extradition—the last time being December 2011.



The AG did not respond.
Ramlogan was then asked whether he was consulted in the decision-making process since part of his duties as AG would include advising Cabinet on legal matters, given that he in his capacity as AG told the country as well as US officials that the businessmen will face justice in the local courts. The phone connection broke. Efforts to contact Ramlogan again were unsuccessful.



Volney: People with charges over ten years will benefit
When Sunday Guardian contacted Volney yesterday, he said the implementation of the Act “is not personal to anyone. “Anyone who endures charges over ten years will benefit with the exclusion of those who committed blood crimes (rape, murder etc.)” Volney said the initiative was a Government one and Ramlogan who acts as the “chief Legal” was adviser to the initiative which came from his ministry.



Referring to the cases including that of the Piarco fraud inquiry which will be dismissed as "dead wood” cases, Volney said due to the lengthy delays of the State getting its house in order for several matters, inclusive of the Piarco preliminary inquiry, blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the State for the matters going beyond ten years.



“At the end of the day, the State has a duty to prosecute people in reasonable time. The Privy Council gave a five year time-frame for convicted killers to have their matters dealt with...this is ten years we are talking about." Volney further said despite the State having its limited resources this should be no excuse for lengthy adjournments which is further exasperated by “the hiring of foreign counsel who are only available two to three times a year.”



Asked whether such a statement was fair, since at several Piarco hearings the accused through its defence were the ones delaying the commencement of the case, Volney said despite this, the State had a responsibility to ensure matters were heard in a timely basis.





What the Act States
Indictable matters will now go to a Master of the High Court by way of paper committal, where all the evidence and supporting documents will be filed in the Registry of the Supreme Court. Section 34 of the Act, which addresses “discharge on the grounds of delay,” states: “(1) Where proceedings are instituted on or after the coming into force of this Act and the Master is not, within twelve months after the proceedings are instituted, in a position to order that the accused be put on trial, the Master shall discharge the accused and a verdict of not guilty shall be recorded, except—
a) in the case of matters listed in Schedule 6; or
(b) where the accused has evaded the process of the Court.
“After the expiration of ten years from the date on which an offence is alleged to have been committed:
(c) no proceedings shall be instituted for that offence; or
(d) no trial shall commence in respect of that offence except,
(a) in the case of matters listed in Schedule 6;
or (b) where the accused has evaded the process of the Court,
where—(c) proceedings have been instituted;
(d) an accused is committed to stand trial; or
(e) an order is made to put an accused on trial, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, a judge shall, on an application by the accused, discharge the accused and record a verdict of not guilty if the offence is alleged to have been committed on a date that is ten years or more before the date of the application.”





The Charges

CARLOS JOHN and ISHWAR GALBARANSINGH:
On or about December 24, 1998, in the island of Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere, being an agent, did corruptly give the sum of 25,000 pounds sterling to Basdeo Panday, an agent, as an inducement or reward for the said Basdeo Panday favouring or forbearing to disfavour the interest of Northern Construction Ltd in relation to its principal business, namely Construction Package 3 at the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport, a matter in which a public body, namely the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago was concerned, contrary to Section 4 (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Number 11 of 1987.



BASDEO PANDAY and OMA PANDAY:
On December 30, 1998, did corruptly receive from Carlos John and Ishwar Galbaransingh the sum of 25,000 pounds sterling as an inducement or reward in relation to Construction Package 3 of the new terminal development project at Piarco Airport, a matter in which a public body, namely the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago was concerned, contrary to Section 4 (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act Number 11 of 1987.


THE CHARGES (March 23,2001)

BRIAN KUEI TUNG, former Finance Minister—(four counts) misbehaviour in public office; (five counts) corruption; (one count) conspiracy to defraud the TT Govt of $7M.



RUSSEL ORLANDO HUGGINS, former National Security Minister—(two counts) corruption; (three counts) aiding and abetting to commit misbehaviour in public office; (one count) misbehaviour in public office; (one count) money laundering.



ISHWAR GALBARANSINGH, businessman and UNC financier—(one count) money laundering; (two counts) corruption; (four counts) aiding and abetting to commit misbehaviour in public office; (one count) conspiracy to defraud TT Govt of $7M.



JOHN HENRY SMITH, CEO Maritime Group of Companies—(three counts) aiding and abetting to commit misbehaviour in public office; (two counts) corruption; (one count) conspiracy to defraud TT Govt of $7M; (one count) misbehaviour in public office; (one count) money laundering .



RENEE PIERRE, companion of Brian Kuei Tung—(one count) aiding and abetting to commit misbehaviour in public office; (one count) conspiracy to defraud TT Government of $7M; (two counts) corruption.



AMRITH MAHARAJ, Chief Corporate Secretary Northern Construction—(four counts) aiding and abetting Brian Kuei Tung to commit misbehaviour in public office; (one count) money laundering; (two counts) corruption; (one count) conspiracy to defraud TT Govt of $7M.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-09- ... lame-state

[neilsingh100]

Guess we know who the government is really work for...

Austerity for the ordinary citizens but big time thieves and fraudsters walk free.

This is a real shame.

[rfari]

And this my friends is the the objective of 'smoke and mirrors'. You buy ipads, get one of your ministers to sacrifice himself by firing him forthwith after refusing to give a breath sample for a sobriety test all under the mask of 50th independence anniversary celebrations and olympic gold medal winner fanfare. Ollur feel jack hire obama political strategist for jones orwha?

[pugboy]

this is why we are a 3rd world country
not any different from haiti, countries of africa

[pioneer]

Allyuh actually bothered/shocked by this?

That's why our CPI is so high, the modern world knows fully well trinidad is one of the biggest laundries in the world.

I said it years ago, the US doesn't want them for some stupid third world poverty airport fraud...they want files...

This govt especially knew if those boys left our shores, many government ministers/financiers would have to pack up and run to another side of the world....with their kids.



brb haiti here we come

[Habit7]

This makes me sick.

And then some sheep would want to throw up Calder Hart and Pena name as if they guilty of stealing something.

Call elections now!

[shogun]

Never in my life, have i EVER wanted to publicly protest against an administration.............until now.

Believe me that says a lot.

what makes me especially angry, is that they THINK they'll get away with this.

[Morpheus]

whoopie. Surprise surprise...........

[White CZ4A]

Never in my life, have i EVER wanted to publicly protest against an administration.............until now.

Believe me that says a lot.

what makes me especially angry, is that they THINK they'll get away with this.

They will.
All the sheit manning did, still would never amount to the kind of arseness taking place with the PP being in power for two years.
Trinidad is on the down. I hope to one day leave this country.

[UML]

that is performance

the PNM got 7 years to extradite/lock up and did nothing....the PP wrap up in 2+years

the AG signed the extradition treaty to ship them out...the courts decided not to

anyhow dey shuda make a jail to set a precedence and go after the other "big fish"

PNM fault!!!

Never in my life, have i EVER wanted to publicly protest against an administration.............until now.

Believe me that says a lot.

what makes me especially angry, is that they THINK they'll get away with this.

They will.
All the sheit manning did, still would never amount to the kind of arseness taking place with the PP being in power for two years.
Trinidad is on the down. I hope to one day leave this country.

the only difference it the ease of access to the information by the PNM insiders buddy

[neilsingh100]

The same could be said for Calder Hart and Montiel with the PP government.

These politicians work for the people that bankroll them.

[Habit7]

that is performance

the PNM got 7 years to extradite/lock up and did nothing....the PP wrap up in 2+years

the AG signed the extradition treaty to ship them out...the courts decided not to

anyhow dey shuda make a jail to set a precedence and go after the other "big fish"

PNM fault!!!

Its funny how you put culpability on the courts under the PP but when it is under the PNM it is the gov't fault.

Yet you forget to mention that it was the PP gov't that brought in legislation to secure their release.

read the article

[UML]

that is performance

the PNM got 7 years to extradite/lock up and did nothing....the PP wrap up in 2+years

the AG signed the extradition treaty to ship them out...the courts decided not to

anyhow dey shuda make a jail to set a precedence and go after the other "big fish"

PNM fault!!!

Its funny how you put culpability on the courts under the PP but when it is under the PNM it is the gov't fault.

Yet you forget to mention that it was the PP gov't that brought in legislation to secure their release.

read the article

i know that why i said the PP wrap it up in 2 years

it is legislation to speed up the court process and benefits all...ent we complain how ppl case does go on and on for years?...well the PP trying to help solve the problem


btw i did say they shuda make a jail....u cud read?

[Redman]

At the end of the day neither side can't set a precedent of persecution of the previous PIP.
Cuz payback is a mofo
So same sheeit only softer

[Crackpot]

Wow UML could actually come here and gloat at the fact that his government brought legislation
to ensure that its financiers are released

What is Trinidad about? Is it a big Cat and Mouse game we are all on-lookers to?

So justice no longer has to be delivered or even appear to be delivered?

We as a people are gonna accept this because the most lawyers in gov't history are doing what they want and us mere citizens must be happy with corruption, mediocrity and some road paving.

Yet again the rich who can frustrate the legal system enough, rely on their friends in high places and to boot throw a party afterwards and toast champagne about it in our faces while we meekly look on

This government is putting on a clinic on nepotism, cronyism and favoritism in front of our noses.

How long will the reference point remain the PNM. Is that the best we can do?

We as a people are bigger than PNM/UNC/COP/TOP/NJAC/OWTU/MSJ etc. What was good for the goose is surely good for the gander. All kicks aside I give up.

If this happens and we as a people stand by and do nothing we got the change we deserved and Morgan Job was right; we are really a backward patch of bush fighting each other while the privileged laugh.

[zoom rader]

Read this thread and it told me never to vote PNM

[neilsingh100]

I have to admit the previous government ent looking so bad.

The PP have no vision and only cares about PR and cronyism. Just look at crime they have no plan but unlike they PNM they willing to hold on to power regardless how unpopular they are so their friends and family could 'eat ah food'.

[rfari]

Read this thread and it told me never to vote PP

Damn straight *high-five*

[Greypatch]

The PP should loose the next elections for this.

[rfari]

The PP should loose the next elections for this.

They would. And u could imagine all the vacancies in the state boards and ministries that would be available after all the unqualified pp supporters are fired? Future looking nice

[Greypatch]

men arse will start to clap soon....

hope the trini 2 day memory does not come into play...


new politics eh...

[rfari]

Pnm need to fix its house and capitalise on these things. Can't wait for last minute cuz unc gonna run a srs blitz campaign next elections

[Crackpot]

I am asking myself the same question the Americans are asking themselves.

Am I better off than the last election? Seriously

Can I name anything SIGNIFICANT the PP has done besides apparently enrich their friends, right "perceived" wrongs with appointments and insult our intelligence with the largest P.R blitz ever?

Not to sound cliche` but the movie the Devil's Advocate was about the Devil's grand plan of corrupting the legal system so much it would stink till high heaven. But guess what art imitates life

But guess what we like it so, we were overjoyed when we "qualified" for the 2006 world cup.
But can anyone answer where in Concacaf is bahrain? We all knew that that was strings pulled in high places to get us there but we didn't care. We even elevated the man who did it

We in T&T admire this sort of thing. If you can manage to get rich, commit crime and escape we glad. We say "he rell good bai". So now we don't know what to highlight because there is too much.

Let us all hold hands like Independence and wait for Austerity measures.
Austerity measures according to wikipedia is a policy of deficit-cutting by lowering spending often via a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided.

Meanwhile laptops for form 1 students who only running fifa 2012, porn and facebook without even a scruntin homework software on any.
I-Pads for Ministers that can afford it.
Clamping down on GATE while the school defers their responsibility to make sure those who get it are deserving in order to continue getting administration fees.
A 7b highway to nowhere.
A state of emergency where as at today crime is worse.
Man, women and children being raped while a Female PM only speaks after being properly advised.
Stagnant economy. etc.etc.etc

But be patient and remember that at least uncle Patos gone so you could accept anything now.

[pugboy]

yeah, signed it for delivery on a big US public holiday and never notified the US authorities so they could send a plane and agent to pick them up

that is what you call performance, lol

that is performance

the AG signed the extradition treaty to ship them out...the courts decided not to