Last Updated on February 21, 2020, 3:23 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Concern that non-governmental and professional organisations have remained silent on the fate of two lawyers – one a government minister – caught up in Breach of Trust, Breach of their Fiduciary Duty and Misappropriation of Monies in the amount of US$460,000.00 or EC$1.2 million.
The two persons are Hon Lindsay F P Grant, Minister of Tourism and International Trade and Youth and Culture Ambassador, His Excellency Jonel Powell, whose application challenging a ruling of a High Court judge for assessment of damages for the client was refused by three judges of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal on February 12, 2020
Popular Washington, DC-based Nevisian Everton “Obi” Elliott in a FaceBook posting is troubled that the matter concerns two prominent lawyers who are also high government officials in the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris.
Elliott is also troubled that there has been no word from the St Kitts and Nevis Bar Association as Grant and Powell are lawyers.
He also pointed out that both Grant and Powell have not resigned from their ministerial and diplomatic post respectively and that both Grant and Powell are represented in the matter by the legal firm of Daniel, Brantley and Associates, of which Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, Hon Mark Brantley, also the Premier of Nevis, is a senior partner.
Elliott also referred to a public comment by lawyer Sylvester Anthony that the matter began as a criminal investigation but the Inspector of Police, who headed the White Collar Crime Unit who was investigating the case was transferred and the investigation stopped.
“Silence is not an option. Silence means consent and will signal an acceptance of such behaviour that would represent a new and unprecedented decline in national standards and expectations for the ethical conduct of elected and appointed public officials. It is therefore imperative that Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell resign immediately from public office and recuse themselves from participating in the upcoming general elections,” said Leader of the Opposition, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas in a recent statement.
Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris has remained silent on the matter.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
