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Get The Manatt Monkey Off Our Backs
Published: Thursday | June 10, 20101
AFTER PRIME Minister Bruce Golding's national broadcast of remorse, Dr Horace Chang, ally of Golding, stated on CVM TV's 'Direct' programme if there was a contract between Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and the Government of Jamaica, then Golding should resign. I agree.
Bruce Golding needs to do three things to show that it was not the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) that contracted Manatt. He needs to show the letters from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) that engaged Manatt for US$400,000 and Manatt agreeing to those terms. He needs to name the persons who made Manatt to believe that they were being employed by the GOJ. He needs to show the invoice from Manatt for the approximately US$50,000, verifying that it was addressed to the JLP.
Unfortunately, the Bruce Golding administration, after two months, cannot show any evidence to support its claims. And the only documentary evidence is Harold Brady signing on behalf of the GOJ. And since the Government has not reported Brady to the General Legal Council for misleading information, and since he has not been reported to the police for acting without authority, then it can safely be concluded that the Manatt firm was retained on behalf of the GOJ.
Based on the Chang premise, Bruce Golding has no option but to resign.
And since it seems clear that Manatt was contracted by the GOJ, then the plot thickens because, contrary to what the Golding-led administration claims, Manatt has stated that they were not employed concerning the extradition of an alleged drug king pin and gun smuggler, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Which means the Golding administration is still misleading. The question is, why? And what exactly was this scheme that Mr Golding sanctioned?
Documentary evidence needed
Furthermore, since Manatt was contracted by the GOJ, who in the government received and processed that invoice? Mr Golding should therefore produce the documentary evidence to prove that it is the JLP that had paid the money and not the GOJ. And if Manatt was made to believe that it was the GOJ who was paying them, then the money received (paid by the JLP) has to be returned to the JLP and the GOJ would now have to take up that tab of US$50,000. This has to be done.
This is unusual that a client tries to deceive his lawyer. It is unheard of, not to talk straight to one's lobbyist.
This is an important issue because the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and trade unions have said they will not resume talks with the Government until the prime minister tells the truth. The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce has called for an independent inquiry to determine the truth and Manatt has retained a lawyer for this case. This matter will not just go away. And we will pay dearly if this Manatt monkey continues to be on our backs for another nine months.
PM must resign
Since the prime minister seems unable to speak the whole truth on this matter, and since he has not established an independent inquiry, and since there is documentary evidence that the GOJ contracted the Manatt firm, the PM must resign. In addition, all those who knew of the scheme and tried to cover it up, and all those who said the PM did no wrong - and have still not changed their tune - must also resign.
After Mr Golding has resigned, the new government should then engage the services of former United States secretary of state, Colin Powell to broker a settlement with Manatt and get this Manatt monkey off our backs.
Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.
Published: Thursday | June 10, 20101
AFTER PRIME Minister Bruce Golding's national broadcast of remorse, Dr Horace Chang, ally of Golding, stated on CVM TV's 'Direct' programme if there was a contract between Manatt, Phelps and Phillips and the Government of Jamaica, then Golding should resign. I agree.
Bruce Golding needs to do three things to show that it was not the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) that contracted Manatt. He needs to show the letters from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) that engaged Manatt for US$400,000 and Manatt agreeing to those terms. He needs to name the persons who made Manatt to believe that they were being employed by the GOJ. He needs to show the invoice from Manatt for the approximately US$50,000, verifying that it was addressed to the JLP.
Unfortunately, the Bruce Golding administration, after two months, cannot show any evidence to support its claims. And the only documentary evidence is Harold Brady signing on behalf of the GOJ. And since the Government has not reported Brady to the General Legal Council for misleading information, and since he has not been reported to the police for acting without authority, then it can safely be concluded that the Manatt firm was retained on behalf of the GOJ.
Based on the Chang premise, Bruce Golding has no option but to resign.
And since it seems clear that Manatt was contracted by the GOJ, then the plot thickens because, contrary to what the Golding-led administration claims, Manatt has stated that they were not employed concerning the extradition of an alleged drug king pin and gun smuggler, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Which means the Golding administration is still misleading. The question is, why? And what exactly was this scheme that Mr Golding sanctioned?
Documentary evidence needed
Furthermore, since Manatt was contracted by the GOJ, who in the government received and processed that invoice? Mr Golding should therefore produce the documentary evidence to prove that it is the JLP that had paid the money and not the GOJ. And if Manatt was made to believe that it was the GOJ who was paying them, then the money received (paid by the JLP) has to be returned to the JLP and the GOJ would now have to take up that tab of US$50,000. This has to be done.
This is unusual that a client tries to deceive his lawyer. It is unheard of, not to talk straight to one's lobbyist.
This is an important issue because the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, and trade unions have said they will not resume talks with the Government until the prime minister tells the truth. The Jamaica Chamber of Commerce has called for an independent inquiry to determine the truth and Manatt has retained a lawyer for this case. This matter will not just go away. And we will pay dearly if this Manatt monkey continues to be on our backs for another nine months.
PM must resign
Since the prime minister seems unable to speak the whole truth on this matter, and since he has not established an independent inquiry, and since there is documentary evidence that the GOJ contracted the Manatt firm, the PM must resign. In addition, all those who knew of the scheme and tried to cover it up, and all those who said the PM did no wrong - and have still not changed their tune - must also resign.
After Mr Golding has resigned, the new government should then engage the services of former United States secretary of state, Colin Powell to broker a settlement with Manatt and get this Manatt monkey off our backs.
Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.
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