Government denies dealings with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips

JamaicaObserver.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

DOGGED by persistent queries from the Opposition and the Jamaican public about a troubling deal allegedly inked with US-based law firm Mannat, Phelps and Phillips to negotiate extradition matters with the United States, the Government today denied that any such deal existed.

The Opposition — led by former security minister Peter Phillips — have accused the Government of forking out US$50,000 to the firm but in a release to the media today, Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary, Karl Samuda denied the allegations.

Samuda was appointed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to investigate the issue.

The following is the full statement released by Samuda on his findings re: Manatt, Phelps & Phillips engagement by Brady & Company.

1. In September of last year, persons within the JLP approached Mr Brady to see whether, through his wide network of international contacts, he could assist in facilitating the opening of discussions between the US Authorities and the Government of Jamaica, and thereby, seek to resolve what had become a treaty dispute between the US and Jamaica.

2. It was expected that Mr Brady, having served as a former Secretary-General of the International Democrat Union, an organisation of worldwide centre-right parties founded in 1983 of which the JLP is an associate member, would use his vast experience in international law and politics to assist in this regard.

3. I am aware that Mr Brady’s firm retained the services of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips on or about October 2009, to pursue discussions with relevant officials of the government. I am advised that all payment arrangements to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips were transacted between the two firms. The government of Jamaica had nothing to do with any aspect of these arrangements.

4. The Solicitor-General went to Washington in December to have discussions with officials of the State and Justice Departments. This meeting was arranged through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Jamaica.

5. The Solicitor-General and the team that accompanied him met with representatives of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips at Mr Brady’s invitation. The discussions were exploratory and were focused on alternative approaches that have been taken in similar treaty disputes with the US. The Solicitor-General made it clear that the government of Jamaica saw no need at that stage to engage their services but would be prepared to consider doing so should the need arise.

6. The Solicitor-General accepted a suggestion that a representative of the firm attend the planned meeting with the State and Justice Departments as an observer, which he did with the full approval of the State Department.

7. The Solicitor-General, who had had no previous contact with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, was not then aware that the firm had already been retained by Brady & Company. He has had no further contact with the firm since that encounter in December.

8. As regards media reports that a Minister of Government met with State Officials and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Dr Ronald Robinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, while on a visit to Washington on November 20, 2009, had a brief social encounter with a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips after having declined an invitation by Mr Harold Brady to attend a meeting at the State Department.

9. The Government of Jamaica did not enter into any contractual arrangement with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and therefore no payments were made to the firm by the Government of Jamaica.