Dennis Chung should recuse himself from FID probe of PM's financials, says attorney

 

Attorney-at-law Clyde Williams believes Chief Technical Director of the Financial Investigations Division (FID), Dennis Chung, should recuse himself from the matter that concerns Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness's statutory declarations.

 

Mr. Williams says there is apparent bias, in light of the statements made by Mr. Chung about the Integrity Commission's report on the statutory declarations - a report that has since been referred to the FID for investigation.

 

The attorney says based on those comments, Mr. Chung runs the risk of bringing the FID into disrepute.

 

"...It is said he has sterling character, a strong reputation for public service. All of that, nobody's challenging. What we are focused on is that when he comes to a decision, in this particular matter - if he stays involved in it - or when FID comes to the decision, you can't afford for the institution to be brought into disrepute because people say, 'Then him nay seh dat and seh dat? Suh mi nay expect any different.' And that's the whole focus of this particular thing. So I think he should recuse himself," Mr. Williams insisted while speaking Wednesday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines.

 

But attorney-at-law Neco Pagon does not believe Mr. Chung's previous statements on the Integrity Commission's report showed any apparent bias. 

 

"I say to myself, let me hear what was actually said, what were his comments in relation to the IC reports. No definitive position was taken in relation to the IC reports. What I have listened to and heard him say is that more information is required. And he also explained certain things. What I heard him say was to just simply explain in what circumstances a company would file nil reports, he explained the difference between income and profit. And so when I hear all of that, can I say that he has taken a position which favours one person or the other? No," he asserted.

 

Mr. Pagon was also speaking Wednesday on Beyond the Headlines.