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Pressure on Manatt
Article Published: Sunday, April 4th, 2010
It appears that US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips is coming under pressure to explain its relationship with the Jamaican government following the denial by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and other local state officials that it has no contractual arrangements with the law firm.
Among the latest development is an amended posting on the US State Department website that Manatt Phelps & Phillips had ceased working for the Government of Jamaica as of February 8 this year.
Reports surfaced yesterday that officials from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips handed over a tape of conversation between its representative and officials of the Jamaican government to the Department of Justice. The DEA and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are probing the matter.
Several telephone calls to the US based law firm to get a comment on the latest development were unsuccessful. Prime Minister Bruce Golding has insisted that the government did not hire the law firm.
If the reports are true then Manatt, Phelps & Phillips would have to explain its dealings and lobbying efforts for a person who is a fugitive from US laws having been indicted by a Grand Jury.
Under US laws this would be a violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). There were also questions that money paid to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips came from sources suggestive of money laundering.
Wednesday’s adjustment by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips confirms earlier reports that attorney Harold Brady had contracted the services of Manatt as a consultant. Brady has handed over to the Solicitor General a report explaining his actions.
Information minister Daryl Vaz told journalists that the Solicitor General’s findings would be made public over the weekend.
Speaking to the Sunday Herald in an interview on Wednesday US based Dr Christopher Walker who raised questions concerning the Mannat, Phelps & Phillips affair with US justice officials, said the DEA agents interviewed him.
During the interview Dr Walker said the DEA quizzed him about several issues relating to the information he provided. Dr Walker said he was also shown photographs of government officials and Coke at two different locations in west Kingston
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