Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerald Gouveia says former Roger Khan attorney Robert Simels met with him three years ago to ascertain whether the now confessed drug trafficker was recognized in business circles here.
Gerald Gouveia
Simels testified under oath on Tuesday during his US trial that he had met with Gouveia among several others in Guyana while working on the Khan case, a claim Gouveia confirmed yesterday when contacted.
The meeting was arranged because Gouveia was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at the time, and Simels was seeking confirmation as to whether Khan was a GCCI member.
Gouveia said that Simels was investigating the claim by Khan that he was a local businessman.
“He asked whether Roger Khan was a member of the chamber and I said no because he wasn’t”, Gouveia stated.
Simels told the US court that he was investigating “the fact that in Guyana Roger Khan was a hero for taking on the Taliban (a reference to a once Buxton-based gang)”. He said that his former client had advised him that he was not a drug dealer but a Guyanese businessman.
The conversation with Simels was brief, Gouveia said, since he “was rushing off to Ogle [East Coast Demerara] following a plane crash”. Gouveia recalled that on the day he met with the attorney the Kopinang crash had occurred resulting in the death of the pilot, Rohan Sharma and two other persons, passengers Earnestina Moses and two-month-old Britney Perreira.
The PSC Chairman noted also that Simels wanted to discuss the issue of security in Guyana. Based on what he remembers Gouveia said that Simels had also met with the then Chairman on Govern-ance and Security within the PSC to “talk about the security issue”.
Stabroek News also contacted Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur whose name was mentioned by Simels as someone he met while here.
The revenue boss said that he had no comment because he was in talks with his lawyers on the issue. He said that he would prefer to seek legal advice on how to handle the allegation before pronouncing on the matter. Further, Sattaur added that he was taken aback when his name surfaced during the US court trial.
Simels has alleged meeting with several key government officials on behalf of his client while in Guyana, namely Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. Ramsammy has rejected the claim and Rohee said, “no comment”.
The former Khan attorney who had alleged government ties to Khan testified publicly for the first time this week, and he said from the witness stand that Ramsammy authorized the purchase of the intercept equipment. The government and Ramsammy have repeatedly denied any connection to the equipment.
Simels, who, along with his assistant, Arianne Irving, has been indicted on witness-tampering charges among others, had previously repeated claims that Khan received permission from the Guyana government to purchase surveillance equipment capable of intercepting and tracing telephone calls made from landline or cellular phones.
Further, Simels testified that he also met with named drug dealers in Guyana on his trips to gather information. He said the dealers came to the Pegasus and he met some persons at a home in Guyana. Simels said that Khan named another “businessman and associate” (in the timber business).
Additionally, Simels’ testimony included claims that before taking on the Khan case in August of 2006 he never knew Khan or heard about Guyana except when someone reminded him of an infamous incident that occurred several years ago. Simels said that he spent his time reading about Guyana from books and internet editions of Guyanese newspapers.
Extracted: “Simels testified under oath on Tuesday during his US trial that he had met with Gouveia among several others in Guyana while working on the Khan case, a claim Gouveia confirmed yesterday when contacted.”
Comment: This is an honest man. What is there to hide or lose by saying you met Khan? This guy should be a cabinet minister or even President! What a rare breed and a breath of fresh air!!!
Agreed.
Noting to hide, no need to skirt around issues.
As to president / politician, I am a firm believer in U campaigning for the office. No one should be appointed based on party ticket or friendship. Cabinet member, yes, only if all cabinet approvals require a 65% approval of parliment.
There is still hope.
Dandy read man read Goviera did not say he met Khan he said he met Khans former attorney Simels.
Dandy Andy “what is there to hide or lose by saying you met Khan?” Gouveia didn’t say he met Khan…he confimed meeting Simels. Read what is there not what u think is there!
you’re right andy, not like the others who are catching a tantrum and ducking questions.
Nonsense Andy ! What ‘ rare breed and breath of fresh air ?’
I am glad Gerry cleared that up. I never for one moment doubted his honesty and integrity. He’s that kind of a person.
This little piece of information works in Simels’ favor. It at least show that he may have felt that Khan was a ligitimate business man, maybe even Khan thought that he was.
But then again, Simels is known to represent the bad guys and Khan was over two years old. He had the ability to know right from wrong…
dandy andy, talk half left halt, when it comes to that chap you are glorifying. your reasoning is seriously flawed.I don’t need to point out your errors.check your statement again.
This lawyer(Simels) should have asked the man in the streets about Roger Khan. He would have been given the real deal about this loser(Roger Khan) and he would not be on trial. Also the so called “hero of the Guyanese people” it turns out has no friends in Guyana. All his friends are running for cover.
everything thing is ‘no comment’. I would like to know who these public servants are answerable to.
how is it Simels can come till here and find the drugs dealers, and the police here can’t?
Very good questions Carl.
Justice, I was thinking that as I was reading….yea how he can find the drug dealers and police can’t isn’t that something???
He even call the names – kaieteurnews – and still the police cant act.
I wonder ummmmm… if the police act on these guys, will they let the truth out on the corr…. police officers and politicans or public officials. I wonder?
The good this is that their names are ont he us records, under oath. And, And probably on the red flag list for all port of entry world wide. People, keep checking the court records for change of names.
It was a bad decision to use a ganster to gight other gansters, he will make himself the general and then remove U (the government). even ignoring it was poor leadership fromt he entire cabinet don’t lay the blame at BJ only.
Wonder what that commission of inquiry really did for the money paid.
No Comment on that 2 hahahah
Good Question Justice
Very good question. Is it not amazing that Simels in a short period of time knew more about Guyana’s drug trade and dealers and could have located them, things that CANU and the Police are unable to do. He has also unearthed so much information about some murders that no one knew of and which the commissioner, if indeed he is the top cop, should have enough information to issue arrest warrants. But it appears that the information does no even warrant a comment. let’s see if those plain clothes ‘intelligence officers’ would be administering any street justice to bring suspects to justice for the many crimes commited against the Guyanese people.
JUSTICE, you know that is something that has bothered me for years,.. how the police didnt know the drug dealers?… the other thing that really bothered me was…how half of the army, was camped at buxton; and for a year couldnt find a single gunman, although people were being killed in and around buxton every day,, and the gunmen rested after each killing spree, while 16yrs old “lookouts patrolled the streets with AK 47s over their shoulder,.. boy , isn’t that a mistery/.. , boy Justice, we really got some magical security, in GT….. .
What businessman? Of course he’s in the business of selling drugs and using store front operations to pose as legitimate businessman, i’m glad capt gouveia told simels the truth he’s not a part of the legitimate business community.
SN: I am trying to do some research on the Roger Khan/Buxton saga and i notice your archives only go back to 2007. What i am researching is all murders allegedly committed by the Hands of the Police, Roger Khan gang, the death Squads…the one George Bacchus spoke about, missing persons and Robberies between 1997 – To the point where fineman and Skinny were killed. Is there any way i can view your archives for this period, online? If not what other alternatives do i have in acquiring info on the mentioned areas of interest?
Moderator’s note: The years pre-dating 2007 are being tidied up by Google prior to uploading so there is no access at the moment.
try http://www.guyanalandofsixpeople.com for old SN articles. the site is a bit disorganized, but they have SN articles from that era. good luck
Pepie…..an x-police by the name of Sicpo was killed just before 2002 nobody could give an account of his death coming along the East Coast high way back to Georgetown……Pepie the intercepter should account for this x-police death. Either the one with the top Cop or the One in New York City.
Pepie, I’m waiting on SN online archives for similar reasons, but why stop at 1997? Go back to 1986 when SN was started. Anyway, from records I’ve been culling from the local newspapers (SN, KN, GC) Guyana’s murder toll for the 21 century:
2001 – 79
2002- 142
2003 – 205
2004 – 137
2005 – 142
2006 – 153
2007 – 113
2008 – 161
Hope that whets you appetite.
Why would Mr. Sattaur, need a lawyer before he can answer questions about Roger Khan? Mr Sattaur terms Simels’s reference to him as an allegation; a strange choice of words but somewhat similar to those of Dr.Ramsammy. We expect transparency from the head of the Guyana Revenue Agency since this department is in the forefront in the fight against money-laundering and detection of sudden and unexplained increase or decrease in wealth. Roger Khan’s sudden explosion of wealth and his close ties to senior members of the ruling party is reason for concern and cries out loud for an explanation. The citizenry awaits with bated breath.
I agree with you, Mr Sattaur owes the Guyanese people an explantion,why on earth does he need legal advice to answer these so called allegations ( as he calls them) can anyone give a straighfoward answer like Mr Gouveia. If all Simels was looking for was information on Khan when he consulted with these officals and I assume he got some information but now they are either denying it or ‘no comment’.
Roger Khan probably never filed Taxes.
This should be something the Opposition Parties should look into? For the kind of money Roger Khan had and was generating with housing schemes, timber, carpet store, etc can Mr. Sattaur show us the paper trail for all the years Roger Khan filed taxes for himself and all his businesses. Remember the President said he was a businessman, just recently.
What did I tell you moderator; a whole day pass all you get outta dem is a big fat nutten.
Even d big Sattaur who always writing some busin’ letter to the press, got to consult (criminal or civil?) lawyers.
Y’all should ask he how d equipment pass customs twice.
Y’all should also ask about d armoured vehicles dat khan used to use…anybody remember dem?
Maybe they could a truth-de-techtor test!
Ha ha ha …big mouth Sattaur had no comment and was consulting with lawyers!!! This is the same man who never lets a criticism pass.
I suspect because of this linkage, the usual bloggers will today call for Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerald Gouveia to resign straightaway and fly the skies to clear his name in the US courts.
Is your comment an attempt to gain attention? Stop the silliness.
Satish greetings, bloggers would be silly to request Captain Gouveia resign meeting with a lawyer does not necessarily represent guilt in anything. Simels sought clarification and to that is fine.
Not necessarily. At least Gouveia didn’t do like Ramsammy and insist that it was a figment of someone’s imagination.
Satish, you din hear one of the editors telling reporter yesterday: “Banna, I is gon fire yuh backside. Dis is all yuh get bout the lil Gouveia bai ? I is tell you when no big story dem go back to testiomy o Simels and Vaughn and milk it fuh tings like Simels being told by judge to answer yes or no….Oh no, don’t go fuh that because it gon undermine we image of he as a big authoritative witness in US court with affidavits, swearing opaths to God Almighty, trut, justice, etc…. and banna, today bring me chicken, chinese food, dhal, garlc pork, cassava bread, rice and goat and all the things from down by the shops that all Guyanese race eat because we, like Reddy, may get accused of being racist and we got to be seen as being politically correct….(chomp,chomp, suck, suck,crunsch, blow,mascerate, drink,etc.etc ). Quick march bai, or is gon get yuh backside fired !!!!!….”
Gouveia didnt need a lawyer to confirm he met with dimmel quiet straight forward why the revenue guy needs a lawyer to confirm, obviously not his own master or inexsperianced in dealing with questioning.
There must be some people bricking it meeting simmel’s like they are government ministers when they so sure of themselves that they cant be touched as drug dealers.
The one thing simmels has made sure of is that everybody got touched with incriminating evidence.
Keep digging we might see an Alantic Tunnel.
Satish, you do not know your audience very well do you? Why would anyone at this very critical juncture ask for Gouveia’s resignation? Lots of other names will/may be mentioned but that does not equate to guilt. You need to start some serious critical thinking. You are getting close to the madness Reddy is spewing. Be careful man!!!!!
What do you expect Gouviea to say? the PSC is a dead duck, if any of them stand up to this government their business is dead the next day.
Look at unamco, toolsie persaud and others.
Get a grip salt fish.
No need for that. He explained himself and stated the reason for the meeting and the subject discussed.
He is the only public figure to date to standout from the pack.
I think that this the issue is about the law, accountability and proper leadership for most guyanese (home and abroad). Not wanting to see the PPP fall unnecessarily.
If the crime fighting instututions were weak then (structurally, financially, lack of equipment, proper/trusted human resource), what have we done to better that and is it working and sustainable for all guyanese?
He is the most honest and open person I heard since this saga…..Stop it…
Why y’all so backward Satish and Reddy? This is how things work in a democracy where the Authorities aren’t involved in shady business. They can answer questions honsetly and go about their business as usual. Why u would even presume tht bloggers would now call for the Captain’s resignation so he could clear his name? Clear his name of what? Think before yuh talk nuh!!! Stupezzzzz!
Captain Gouveia is a well respected and successful businessman that can be of good help to your AFC buddies, instead of jumping down his throat, you can ask for some advise…
Mr. Gouveia gave a forthright answer unlike others with “no comment” and “I have to contact my lawyer to answer”. if Mr. Sattaur has nothing to hide, please just answer the question. Three thumbs up for Mr. Gouveia.
My comment was a joke fellas! Very much like some of the other comments here.
Anyways, y’all have a great weekend!
why sattish? he seems to be the only straigthforward one here and honest too. stop playing monkey games.
Satish and Reddy are still stunned that their poo poo poo is losing their shirt by the day.
You got a dutch axe SN,,,The moderator is not afraid to use it at all…When you chop you must make sure the comment is viewed for what it was meant for…
If the Home Affairs Minister said no comment,,,that is his democratic rights,,,why does rubbish published in a newspaper warrants an answer from the Honourable Minister??? Let Simmels say why he contacted the Minister…
SATISH: “My comment was a joke fellas! Very much like some of the other comments here. Anyways, y’all have a great weekend!”
While you joke around, people on here seriously trying to find answers to what’s taking place in Guyana. Don’t be silly and insinuate what’s not, and throw up clouds of smoke in the corner to divert the attention of what’s really happening….oh shucks sorry, that was GINA not you.
Solideer since when the home affairs minister believe in democracy?
Give me a break, what kind of fish you trying to feed us here? democratic right hahahahhaaha. Biggest communists in town talking about democracy, the gods have gone mad.
mouthopen story jump out who let the dog out woo woo woo
its a shame how bias SN is, what happen to the testimony of the missing sugar workers.
this is not important because it will contradict SN agenda. SHAME SHAME sHAME.
YOU CAN USE THE AXE ON THIS ONE ALSO, SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME
Freespeech , these revelations really getting under your skin , banna . Please do not blame the Stabroek News because as the “Fourth Estate” they are duty-bound to print the facts of the cases and inform the public . You must call on Jagdeo to have a Commission of Inquiry pertaining to what took place in Guyana between 2002 & 2006 , when terror rained on the population and guyanese are still fleeing their homeland .
Thanks SN for keeping your readers informed and giving us the privilege to vent our views .
I THINK U IS THE SHAME OF THE FACTS THAT YOUR PPP CUP AN LEADERS NAMES ARE CALLING ,THE TURTH ALWAYS HURT MY BROTHER OR SISTER
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SN IF THEY CAN READ THE FACTS AS IT COME, LET THEM DONT READ IT AT ALL BUT LET THE PPL GET THE FACTS AS IT HAPPEN.
Freespeech, first, let that particular informer provide that information about the cane cutters under oath….he can do so when the PPP government put in place an international inquiry or have someone in court over the current mess. Second, since he knows who moved the bodies were moved from, then he should also know where the bodies were moved to and provide that information to the government. But of course we will never see the light of him or his testimony because that information is from Roger Khan who was trying to save himself.
You guys cannot get it both ways allegations are vastly different from allegations but then again you wouldn’t understand…the coolaid from the cup has you befuddled.
shame on you for supporting roger khan a known criminal, and also the govt who helped facilitated them.
if SN wants to cover the testimony, it should be done in its entirety, not partial.
but most of you will agree with SN to print what is more convenient to serve it’s agenda.
that my friend is called hypocrisy “NOT SELECTED VERSION”
And why is Stabroek not mentioning Fredrick Kissoon as one who met Simels during his stay in Guyana, why should I believe that’s all Gerald discussed with Simels, Stabroek when so ever you plan to publish Kissoon name please interview him about his conversation with Simel and dont forget to publish Simels testimony that the GDF moved beheaded sugar workers from the front lands to the back lands of Buxton.
That is a major allegation, probably more serious than the naming of drug dealers. An issue that is at the heart of this whole issue and further shows the need for a commission of inquiry to address, what happen, the causes of it and the recommended solutions. Sadly, we may have to offer amnesty to some for information vital to understanding what happen.
What is clear is Poor leadership, and we cant blame the president only, where was the cabinet? Or are they there just to rubber stamp whatever is said by others?
Freespeech i dont agree with you all the time but the story about the Sugar Workers SN should have had an article on it.
I read that article in Kaieteur and it was moving. We need to know who were the soldiers that move the bodies from Buxton front and take them to the Backdam? Was this a cover up on the Army’s part? This is definitely not acceptable.
We need an Independent Probe into all these murders.
Moderator’s note: Many stories have been carried in SN on the missing sugar workers. We are attempting to clarify the testimony with the army.
SN, You can AX it if you’d like, I’m getting use to it
Kaieteur News has expanded on the deaths of these sugar workers for 2 day in a row as part of their headline. I guess testimonies like these point fingers away from RK and others and some media don’t want that.
The PNCR allegedly has ties to the Buxton gang that killed these sugar workers. I wonder if thats the reason why SN TOTALLY refrain from touching on this hateful murder? Will it ruin the current role of righteousness role that the PNC is trying to undertake in the RK saga?
Coolieman, read Freddie’s column in today’s Kaieteur and when you’re finish reading please come back and off all the fredricknites an apology.
However, I must say that after Freddy cleared himself in his first two paragraphs i am puzzled to what he was trying to ACHIEVE in the rest of his article. To me it was a poor summary and i know, he is a capable of better.
What is a shame is your government punishing of stabroek by withdrawing ad dollars from the newspaper so they cannot hire more reporters and do a better job.
Any weakness you see in Stabroek is due to the PPP it comes full circle, they have deliberately sabotaged this company economically.
Govt is the largest employer in the country and when they with hold ad dollars it has a devastating effect on the quality of journalism at SN. So dont holler here go and cry at jagdeo door step. He has a knack for ruining everything he touches. He is the Anti Midas.
Freespeech”they” never expected the ball to reach into the other field.
Freespeech, no, the shame is how your screen name runs contrary to the travesties put out by GINA, and what this Government upholds. It’s publications like SN and KN that manages to keep Guyanese informed on the lack of moral governance and basic decency expected from any Government.
SN is reporting on a trial that is taking place in the U.S., I don’t think it’s fair to accuse them of bias, just because they did not present all the evidence in that case. The story they were dealing with is the testimony that came out of that trial, and how that testimony implicates Government officials.
Please don’t sit there and spout inconsistencies when they are doing the very best they can in an oppressive environment.
Go ask your Government what happened to the sugar workers and have them start an inquiry into that, see if you are lucky.
Don’t blame the messenger now, I’d be damned if I sit still and watch y’all blame SN when they are one of the few who carry the mantle of “TRUTH” in Guyana.
Go sell crazy somewhere else, we stocked up right about now!
neno dont jump on your flying horses sooooo fast.
i can prove to you they do selective reporting.
whenever the messenger receive o message to deliver it must be reported in its entirety, not partial because you for one have a bias opinion for not having all the facts.
If they are doing selective reporting how come they allow you solideer and reddy to type some much crap on here daily?
give me a break you are a loser nofreespeech!
they had conversation with mr. simels but some of them just
scared to adnitt it, i dont know why they are afraid to talk
with the media those in govt. are they trying to hide the truth
it will come out, i think there is a real need for international
querry into the roger khan/buxton saga i would DARE I SAY DOUBLE
DARE THE GOV.OF GUYANA TO ASK THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR HELP
IN GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, what is the big deal mr. jagdeo
let interpol/fbi/cia help guyana investigate and bring closure to
this mess that guyana is in period…
Who name Simmels???