(Trinidad Express) Corruption-accused Jack Warner has written to several officials that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar received multi-million-dollar payments to thwart the extradition of businessmen and United National Congress financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson.
On July 24, Warner sent letters to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Margaret B Diop, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, director of the Police Complaints Authority David West and chairman of the Integrity Commission Zainool Hosein.
The letters were captioned “Submission of evidence relative to the perversion of the course of justice in the Galbaransingh and Ferguson extradition matter”.
Warner wrote, “I refer to the subject at caption and do hereby submit for your attention the following:
- Sworn affidavit from Jack Austin Warner dated May 29, 2015.
- Sworn affidavit from Pradeep Cassiram dated June 6, 2015; and
iii. An audio/video recording relating to (ii) above.
At news briefing on July 14, Warner alleged a deal was brokered between Galbaransingh and Ferguson and Persad-Bissessar. Both businessmen are facing extradition to the US and are currently before the courts fighting for charges against them to be dropped.
Warner, in his statement, claimed a total of $8.3 million was paid to Persad-Bissessar via cheque on several occasions, including at a meeting at which he, Warner, claims to have been present to witness the passing of a cheque.
Warner’s affidavit
At his news briefing on July 14, the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader produced an affidavit, stamped by Justice of the Peace Anthony Soulette, in which he, Warner, alleged there were exchanges between Galbaransingh, Ferguson and Persad-Bissessar, and also of conversations on the matter between himself and the Prime Minister.
Warner also stated that around May 22, 2010, he was informed by a constituent of Chaguanas West that he, the constituent, witnessed “several cheques” being handed to Persad-Bissessar, in the presence of others, with one cheque from Galbaransingh in the amount of TT$1 million.
He identified this witness as Pradeep Cassiram.
Cassiram the witness?
In signed statement dated June 6, 2015, former ILP member Cassiram said on May 20, 2010, following a political meeting held by the People’s Partnership Government, there was a social gathering at the home of a businessman, where he alleged Persad-Bissessar’s was given cheques by Galbaransingh.
Cassiram alleged the gathering had in its attendance Persad-Bissessar, attorney Devish Maharaj, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, Galbaransingh and businessman Daniel Solomon.
Moonilal has said the claim was ludicrous and pathetic. Cassiram said while serving drinks, he noticed “five cheques laid face down and one that laid face up”. “Later that night after Mrs Kamla Persad and her friends left Mr Ramsubhag home, I discovered at the bar one of the cheques stuck to the underside of the waiter. The said cheque was from Ishwar Galbaransingh and made in the name of Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the amount of one million dollars.”
