T&T Integrity Commission to probe corruption claim against minister

(Trinidad Express) The Integrity Commission yesterday disclosed that it has taken a decision to investigation corruption allegations made against a Government Minister, by interim leader of the Independent Liberal Party, Jack Warner.

In a press statement, the IC noted that it was acting in accordance with “Section 33 (a) of the Integrity in Public Life Act, the Integrity Commission may, on its own initiative, consider and inquire into any alleged breaches of the Act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct by Persons in Public Life”.

The following is the IC’s full statement:
The Integrity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago in the exercise of its mandate under Section 33 (a) of the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA), has taken a decision to initiate an investigation into allegations of corruption made by Mr. Jack Warner, M.P. against a Government Minister.

Mr. Warner, at a political campaign meeting on July 23, 2013, for the Chaguanas West Constituency, made statements alleging that a Government Minister had, “since becoming a Minister acquired six houses, one of which was received from a contractor in exchange for that contractor receiving a $ 36 million contract.” It was also alleged that “a Minister of Government allegedly received a house from a businessman in exchange for the businessman having some of his properties rented by the Minister’s Ministry.”

In accordance with Section 33 (a) of the IPLA the Integrity Commission may, on its own initiative, consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the Act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct by Persons In Public Life. The Commission has decided to pursue this matter.

The Commission intends to inform the public from time to time, when it has decided to carry out investigations on its own initiative.