DPP could rule 'very soon' on whether others to be charged in SSL fraud - Clarke

By Kimone Witter    

 

Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke says he is confident of a ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether more people should be charged in the massive fraud scandal at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL).

 

Dr. Clarke is appealing for patience.

 

In August last year, the Financial Investigations Division told the country that other people will be charged in the case in the coming months, but expressed concern that some affected investors had refused to cooperate with investigators.

 

So far, former Stocks and Securities Limited wealth advisor Jean-Ann Panton has been charged in the matter.

 

She returns to court on May 27.

 

Completing his Budget Debate presentation outside Gordon House on Tuesday following the walk out by government members, Opposition Leader Mark Golding questioned the lack of information from the DPP's office on the case. 

 

"Jamaica's iconic global track superstar, the Honorable Usain Bolt, and many other innocent investors were carried down in the scandalous SSL fiasco and we can't hear anything about charges being brought against the culprit. I have been told that the DPP's office is dragging their feet when there are a number of people that the Financial Investigations Division are seeking to bring charges against," Mr. Golding contended. 

 

Speaking on TVJ's All Angles on Thursday night, Dr. Clarke said the government remains committed to seeing the case to its conclusion, but will not interfere in the investigations. 

 

"The government took the unprecedented decision to procure the services of a multinational, independent forensic audit firm that produced a report on which the FID and other investigative authorities have been able to build a case and to submit that case to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for adjudication, for a decision," he said. 

 

The Finance Minister reiterated that the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent office, adding that he is "highly confident that any time now, shortly, very soon, at some point in the near future, she will make a ruling". 

 

He said the FID has been following up with the office of the DPP to have the matter proceed expeditiously.

 

 

Dr. Clarke said the forensic report on SSL produced by UK-based forensic accounting and intelligence firm, Kroll, will not be made public at this time.

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding had called for its release adding that the country will not accept a cover up of what he termed the "shameful debacle" which has tainted Jamaica's reputation as a safe and well-regulated place for investment.

 

But Dr. Clarke said, in the interest of justice, it would not be sensible to have the report in the public domain before the fraud case is completed.