Months after questions were raised about the unapproved
construction of a section of the 700 room RIU Hotel in Montego
Bay, the Fraud Squad is now probing whether criminal charges
should be laid against persons attached to the St James Parish Council.
Over the past weeks Fraud Squad detectives have made several trips to Montego Bay to collect statements and conduct interviews with persons connected to the St James Parish Council.
Investigators are probing whether fraud was involved in the approval process that resulted in Spanish resort chain RIU erecting the controversial 4th floor at the hotel.
The hotel chain argues that it followed all the rules and was granted permission, but the St James Parish Council has insisted that no approval was given.
The Council said the fourth floor of the hotel being built at Mahoe Bay, close to the Sangster International Airport, was in the direct flight path of air traffic.
A building plan written in Spanish, giving approval for the additional floors to be built was allegedly found.
However, the Parish Council insisted it never gave permission nor were the required fees paid.
RIU was forced to demolish the offending floors atop three of its buildings.
The police are tight-lipped as to whether the Superintendent of Roads and Works at the St James Parish Council, Tubal Brown will be questioned as the investigation continues.
In May, at the height of the controversy about who gave the approvals, the Parish Council Services Commission met on the issue.
The Commission decided to interdict Mr Brown on half pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
Over the past weeks Fraud Squad detectives have made several trips to Montego Bay to collect statements and conduct interviews with persons connected to the St James Parish Council.
Investigators are probing whether fraud was involved in the approval process that resulted in Spanish resort chain RIU erecting the controversial 4th floor at the hotel.
The hotel chain argues that it followed all the rules and was granted permission, but the St James Parish Council has insisted that no approval was given.
The Council said the fourth floor of the hotel being built at Mahoe Bay, close to the Sangster International Airport, was in the direct flight path of air traffic.
A building plan written in Spanish, giving approval for the additional floors to be built was allegedly found.
However, the Parish Council insisted it never gave permission nor were the required fees paid.
RIU was forced to demolish the offending floors atop three of its buildings.
The police are tight-lipped as to whether the Superintendent of Roads and Works at the St James Parish Council, Tubal Brown will be questioned as the investigation continues.
In May, at the height of the controversy about who gave the approvals, the Parish Council Services Commission met on the issue.
The Commission decided to interdict Mr Brown on half pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
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