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News
‘A web of deception’
Leys had concerns about Brady’s involvement in extradition lobby
BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
SOLICITOR General Douglas Leys yesterday described as a "web of deception" attorney Harold Brady's involvement in the extradition matter concerning alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
Leys' pronouncement came during cross-examination from attorney Linton Gordon, who is representing the Jamaica Defence Force, at yesterday's sitting of the Dudus/Manatt commission of enquiry.
Leys testified that before December 2009 he was not even aware that Brady was involved in the extradition matter.
"So what it is that you have now realised?" Gordon asked.
"I have realised that there has been a 'web of deception' and Brady was involved in that," Leys said in response.
He further testified that after he made the realisation, he was concerned that it was allowed to happen and felt that attempts were made to interfere with his job.
Leys, under re-examination from his attorney Oliver Senior, said "it was inappropriate for Brady to have been contracted to deal with the matter" and that he had no right to be involved.
Earlier, under cross-examination from attorney Patrick Atkinson, who is representing the People's National Party's Dr Peter Phillips, Leys was grilled about a series of e-mails which involved communication among himself, his deputy Lackston Robinson, and Manatt, Phelps and Phillips representatives Kevin Di Gregory and Susan Schmidt.
Leys said that the e-mails culminated in a conference call in which they discussed the drafting of a joint press release regarding a meeting held with the United States Department of Justice to discuss matters surrounding Coke's extradition request.
However, Leys testified that it was not obvious to him at that point that Manatt, Phelps and Phillips were of the belief that it was representing the Government of Jamaica and not the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
He also testified that he first became aware that the US-based law firm was working on behalf of the JLP on December 17, 2009.
The enquiry, which is being held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston will continue on Monday.
 
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2/12/2011
@ Jakan 2011. Why did Dudus waved his right to an extradition hearing if his constitutional rights was being breached ? this is no longer a point for discussion !.. He gave up is RIGHTS !
2/12/2011
For those of you not used to nor aware of Govt taking and following instructions from Washington, now you know so get over it. That is the the way third world beggar nations like Jamaica operate. Failure to obey those instruction could result in failing IMF tests, unfavorable travel advisory et al.
What world have you bloggers been living in?
2/12/2011
Oh what a tangled web we weave...... Seems it is the civil servants and not the politicians who are clouding this enquiry.
From memory losses to misunderstandings, forgetting dates and sequence of events, to all manner of obstructionist manoeeuvres, the civil servants seem to be the biggest loosers in this fiasco! The Solictitor General and The Permanent Secretary have made fools of them selves in this circus.
2/12/2011
Poor Leys, such a hapless fellow! Yes sir there was a web of deception but that started and ended with the secret MOUs. Don't you see we were in the dangerous situation where our entire army was taking orders from the US-a foreign power while the populace thought the elected PM was our minister of Defence. They were ordering the AG to sign without looking (like Peter and KD). They were de facto govt. while the elected was supposed to be just puppets.That's the real deception! JDF is USDF in Ja
2/12/2011
Are these people really serious ?.
How can any of these people in Governance be trusted to serve anyone when they are allowed on a daily basis to submit false statements, or, deliberate falsehoods ?
Was this not the Solicitor General who was spending his time in Governance sending emails to MPP soliciting talking points for joint statements to be released, then said he thought he was sending the emails to Brady ?.
Now people can see why we need a Greg Christie as commissioner of corruption.
2/12/2011
Not being informed does not mean that one was deceived. Sometimes you have to ask questions , be alert , and keep on top of your area of responsibility. I am still to find out how the SG was deceived, he did not say, only that a certain lawyer and others did it to him. Sounds like he was/is in over his head or he was being advised by the wrong individuals.
2/12/2011
Brady's entanglement with the complicity of Leys makes it very very difficult for Leys to claim that he didn't know of Brady's involvement. Leys despite feigning innocence/ignorance was a part of the tangled web.
Why was he taking names of invitees from Brady? Why in heaven's name was Brady a party to the conference call with MPP? If this is how our Solicitor General does business with our legal affairs then we are in serious trouble. He should be fired if he doesn't have the good sense to go.
2/12/2011
Strange how when Leys contradicted anyone that person is reported to have "lied".
However when Leys has contradicted himself, especially in media interviews, this is dismissed as an"error".
Whether "contradiction", "error" or "deception"--it is all LIES, LIES and MORE LIES.
"Web of deception"--then who is the Chief Servant--oops, meant Spider?
2/12/2011
POCA should seive the assets of these deceivers in govt. and use the proceeds to help as compensation for the huge financial losses the country incurred as a result of their acts which are in reality aiding and abetting an alleged felon.
2/12/2011
And the question still remains..how on earth is bruce still the PM and dor the minister of (in)justice?? The core of this govt. is corrupt beyond redemption. Can the gang busting legislaton be used against this gang of ministers involved in deception,isn't what they have done aiding and abetting an alleged criminal - a don who allegedly imported and distributed death in Ja.?
2/12/2011
I think the cross examination by Gordon was rather good even though brief. Mr. Leys for me has proven himself to me as a man as slippery as an eel. According to him he is not aware to this day that Brady hired manatt to deal with the dudus extradition. Maybe they should ask him if he is of the opinion now but they would probably disallow the question.
2/12/2011
A web of Deception indeed! But who "sanctioned" it? Who "authorized" the JLP to pay the US$50,000 to Manatt? Who "instructed" that air fares value over J$900,000 be paid for Brady and Robinson to go see Manatt, Phelps and Phillips? Could it have been Eli Bangarang? Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice first to deceive! "CP this could topple the Goverment" is what Admiral Lewin said he was told by a Minister of Govt. That Minister as a prophet is better than Prophet Phinn.
2/12/2011
Who is the author of this"web of deception " The one and only Bruce Golding and after they all knew this he had the gall to appoint Samuda to investigate. What temerity.These people have no shame.How can they be
going around as if nothing happened? It beats me.What are they going to do to save face ? Golding needs to do the right thing and resign as a master lf fact the whole Govt is shot so they all need to go. They would be doing the honorable thing, follow the example of Hosni Mubarak.
2/12/2011
So, Let me Understand, You weren't Aware until Dec. 2009 that Manatt. Phyllips was Working for The J. L. P. and NOT The Govt. of Jamaica ? But You Sir, Represent The Govt. of Jamaica, You Authorised their Involvement, Bruce, Dorothy and You gave Permission to Hire M/P/P. You Must have Stated that M/P/P. was a Govt. of Jamaica Hired Law Firm for Them to be Allowed in a Depts. of Justice & State Meeting. The U. S. Govt. Don't Negotiate with Terrorists Org. Like The J. L. P. Check USDHS Website.
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